Lisa Nandy PRAISES Tim Davie as Culture Secretary issues statement on BBC boss's resignation amid 'systemic bias' row

Both director-general Mr Davie and news chief executive Deborah Turness have stepped down from their positions at the corporation.

The resignations come as the broadcaster prepares to issue an apology on Monday, addressing concerns about editorial standards.

Social media has been awash with reactions from members of parliament and licence fee payers across the country, and Ms Nandy was one of the first to share her thoughts.

The Culture Secretary wrote on X: "I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years.

"He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years."

Turning her attention to the future of the BBC, she went on: "The BBC is one of our most important national institutions. Every day, it tells the story of who we are - the people, places and communities that make up life across the UK.

"Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high-quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world.

"As a government, we will support the Board as it manages this transition and ensure that the Charter Review is the catalyst that helps the BBC to adapt to this new era and secures its role at the heart of national life for decades to come."

Mr Davie had led the corporation for five years, having assumed the role in 2020 when he succeeded Tony Hall.

The programme in question, Trump: A Second Chance?, aired in the week preceding last year's American election. The documentary combined separate portions of Trump's January 6, 2021, address in a manner that suggested he instructed his followers to accompany him to the US Capitol to "fight like hell".

I want to thank Tim Davie for his service to public broadcasting over many years.

He has led the BBC through a period of significant change and helped the organisation to grip the challenges it has faced in recent years.

— Lisa Nandy MP (@lisanandy) November 9, 2025

The editing technique involved joining disconnected segments of the speech, potentially creating a misleading narrative about the former president's statements during that pivotal day.

This manipulation of footage has raised serious questions about the BBC's editorial practices and commitment to accurate representation of events.

The Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that Michael Prescott, who previously served as an external adviser to the BBC's editorial standards committee, had flagged these issues in a memorandum during the summer months.

His document highlighted multiple impartiality concerns, with the Trump documentary editing among the most significant problems identified.

Mr Davie's period at the helm witnessed numerous high-profile scandals that tested the broadcaster's reputation.

The corporation faced criticism over Gary Lineker's expression of political opinions, which sparked debate about presenter neutrality.

More damaging was the criminal conviction of prominent presenter Huw Edwards for creating indecent images of minors.

The broadcaster also faced backlash over its decision to air Bob Vylan's contentious Glastonbury set.

As well as Ms Nandy, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey was also among those commenting on the resignation. "The resignations of Tim Davie and Deborah Turness must be an opportunity for the BBC to turn a new leaf, rebuild trust and resist those like Nigel Farage who want to destroy it," he typed.

"We must stand up for a strong, independent BBC, to stop Trump’s America becoming Farage's Britain." (sic)