Director general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness are both stepping down from the corporation in a surprise double resignation overnight.
In a note to staff sent on Sunday evening, Davie insisted his departure was “entirely my decision” and he thanked the chair and board for their “unswerving and unanimous support throughout my entire tenure, including during recent days” – days which have seen intense political pressure for the BBC’s leadership over Panorama’s editing of a Donald Trump speech, and criticism of the broadcaster’s coverage of trans issues.
Davie said: “While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision. Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as director general I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
He continued: “Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it…I will always be a passionate cheerleader for civilised society, a strong BBC and a thriving UK.”
Davie also highlighted the unique value of the BBC and said it should always be open, transparent and accountable, and added that his decision to quit was in part inspired by the desire to “create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come in and positively shape the next Royal Charter.”
Davie will stay in post for a period to “allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months”.
BBC chair Samir Shah issued a lengthy statementm following the news: “This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding Director-General for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.
“He has had the full support of me and the board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole board respects the decision and the reasons for it.
“Tim has given 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a devoted and inspirational leader and an absolute believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He has achieved a great deal.
“Foremost, under his tenure, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges in a world of unprecedented change and competition is well underway.
“Personally, I will miss his stamina, good humour and resilience and I will miss working with him. I wish him and his family the very best for the future.
“This is an important time for the Corporation and the Board and I will continue to work with Tim in the interim while we conduct the process to appoint his successor.”
Responding to Davie’s resignation, culture secretary Lisa Nandy thanked him for his “service to public service broadcasting over many years”.
She added: “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.
“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 we will 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.”
The irony of Davie’s departure over perceived “left-wing bias” at the BBC will not be lost on observers who have spent recent months bemoaning the BBC’s constant platforming of Nigel Farage and his Reform Party, despite the party having only a constantly shifting single-figure number of MPs in parliament, which has led to widespread criticism of the broadcaster’s current right-wing bias in the current “culture war” where it appears everybody has to identify as either a card-carrying fascist or a blue-haired pronoun-avoider.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the irony was lost on The Apprentice US host Donald Trump. The US president wrote in a post on his personal social media site Truth Social: “The TOP people in the BBC, including TIM DAVIE, the BOSS, are all quitting/FIRED, because they were caught ‘doctoring’ my very good (PERFECT!) speech of January 6th.
“These are very dishonest people who tried to step on the scales of a Presidential Election. On top of everything else, they are from a Foreign Country, one that many consider our Number One Ally. What a terrible thing for Democracy!”
