By Newsmax Wires | Sunday, 09 November 2025 10:22 AM EST
The BBC has confirmed it will issue a formal apology for altering a President Donald Trump speech in a documentary, sparking accusations of journalistic misconduct and demands for the resignation of senior executives. BBC Chairman Samir Shah plans to submit a letter to Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday acknowledging that the program “misled viewers” by editing together disjointed segments of Trump’s 2021 Jan. 6 remarks to falsely suggest he incited the Capitol riot.
The revelation follows an internal investigation prompted by a leaked 8,000-word report from former BBC standards adviser Michael Prescott, who alleged senior editors concealed the manipulation. Prescott’s memo warned that splicing unrelated clips created a “dangerous precedent,” but Shah and Director-General Tim Davie delayed action for six months despite repeated warnings.
The scandal has intensified pressure on BBC leadership, with critics condemning the network’s handling of coverage on global conflicts and ideological issues. Former BBC Television Director Danny Cohen criticized the silence of Shah and Davie, stating their inaction “makes it very hard to excuse away the scandal.” Constitutional scholar Vernon Bogdanor called for Davie’s immediate resignation, accusing the broadcaster of ignoring prior warnings about bias.
The Trump administration condemned the editing as “purposeful dishonesty,” labeling the BBC a “leftist propaganda machine” amid growing skepticism over its credibility in covering conservative figures. Former U.K. Culture Secretary John Whittingdale described the manipulation as a “serious breach of accuracy,” urging Davie to take responsibility for the network’s declining integrity.
BBC CEO Deborah Turness acknowledged the controversy in an internal email, preparing staff for an upcoming apology. The broadcaster confirmed Shah’s letter to Parliament would address the committee, though no further details were provided. The fallout adds to longstanding criticism of the BBC’s alleged bias against conservatives and its perceived lack of impartiality.
The incident underscores deepening scrutiny of the state-funded outlet’s journalistic standards as it grapples with mounting public distrust.
