‘I have to take ultimate responsibility’: Tim Davie’s BBC resignation statement | Tim Davie

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general and head of BBC News, resigned after a former adviser to the corporation accused the BBC of “serious and systemic” bias in its coverage of issues such as Donald Trump, Gaza and trans rights.

This afternoon Davie sent the following memo to staff:

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to let you know that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is entirely my decision, and I am very grateful to the President and the Board for their unwavering and unanimous support throughout my entire term, including the final days.

I am working with the Board on precise timings to ensure an orderly transition to succession in the coming months.

In these heated times, I reflect on the very intense personal and professional demands of leading this role for many years, coupled with the fact that I want to give my successor time to help shape the Charter plans they will deliver.

In these increasingly polarized times, the BBC is uniquely valuable and speaks to the best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; extremely kind, tolerant and curious. The BBC, like all public organisations, is not perfect and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not the sole reason, the current debate around BBC News understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is performing well but some mistakes have been made and as Director General I must take ultimate responsibility.

Our organization is a critical component of a thriving creative industry as well as a healthy society. We must defend it, not arm it.

I’m proud that despite a fiercely competitive market, the BBC remains the most trusted news brand worldwide. We have continued to make it available to almost everyone in the UK and hundreds of millions of people around the world. Despite the inevitable problems and challenges, our journalism and quality content continue to be admired as the gold standard. Our transition to a digital organization has been hugely impressive and our thriving commercial businesses are being admired around the world. In addition, it was important and motivating for us to work together to ensure that we had the right culture. I couldn’t be more impressed with what you’ve accomplished.

You will ask why now, why this moment?

I have spent the last 20 years of my life working for this organization as Director of Marketing, Communications and Audiences, Director of Sound and Music, Deputy Director General and Chief Executive of BBC Studios. I care about this very much and want it to be successful. That’s why I want to create the best conditions and space for a new Directorate-General to come in and shape the next Royal Charter in a positive way. I hope that as we move forward there can be a sensitive, calm and rational public debate about the BBC’s next chapter.

This timing allows the new Directorate-General to help shape the next Charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

Thank you again, it was a wonderful journey that I loved very much. I consider myself very lucky to be serving as the 17th General Manager. I’ll have a chance to see many of you before I go, but I’m incredibly proud to have served as Director General of the BBC for over five years. This is a very valuable UK institution and you are a world class team. Thank you all for your tireless support and friendship.

I will always be a passionate cheerleader for a civilized society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.

Best wishes,

Team

Deborah Turness, chief executive of BBC News since January 2022, sent the following statement to staff:

Dear Friends,

I’ve never been more proud of the work you do every day. You truly are the best of the best.

I have made the difficult decision that it will no longer be my job to lead you in the collective vision we all have: to pursue the truth without any agenda.

The ongoing debate around Panorama regarding President Trump has reached a stage where it is damaging to the BBC, an institution I love.

As CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the responsibility remains with me and last night I decided to offer my resignation to the Director-General.

In public life, leaders need to be fully accountable, and that’s why I’m resigning. While mistakes have been made, I want to make clear that recent allegations that BBC News is institutionally biased are false.

In a polarized world, BBC News journalism is more vital than ever and I couldn’t be prouder of the work you do. Together we have bucked the global trend to increase trust in BBC News and I want to thank you for your courageous work to make this happen, wherever you are in the world.

My request to you: Please maintain the courage to continue our mission. I’m sorry I can’t be there to moderate and support your great journalism.

It was a great privilege to work with all of you.

I will now work with Tim to plan an orderly handover to ensure that my decision to leave causes as little disruption as possible to the important work you do.

Best wishes,

Deborah