BBC's Shah apologises for 'error of judgment'

BC chairman Samir Shah has said the corporation would like to apologise for an “error of judgment” over the editing of a speech by Donald Trump for Panorama.

- LAURA HARDING

The apology follows the resignation of two of the corporation’s most senior figures on Sunday - chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness and director-general Tim Davie - who announced their departure from the BBC after concerns were raised in Michael Prescott's report that the speech had been selectively edited.

Critics said the Panorama documentary, broadcast by the BBC the week before last year's US election, was misleading and removed a section where Mr Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully.

Responding to a letter from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee (CMS), Mr Shah said there have been more than 500 complaints since the publication of Mr Prescott’s memo, adding: “We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action”

Mr Shah said it is “simply not true” that Mr Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC), “uncovered” issues that the BBC has sought to “bury”.

He added: “The issues raised by Mr Prescott are precisely the issues that have been considered by the EGSC and the Board. There is another view that has gained currency in the coverage that the BBC has done nothing to tackle these problems. That is also simply not true.”