BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
‘Teflon Tim’ survived many scandals, but not thispublished at 18:50 GMT
Ian Youngs
Culture reporter
Image source, PA Media
Tim Davie has weathered many scandals and crises during his five years at the helm of the BBC – including the Gary Lineker furore, Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, the Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone documentary, and the transgressions of a string of high-profile presenters.
He was nicknamed “Teflon Tim” because nothing seemed to stick. He remained relaxed, in public at least, about these storms coming with the territory of being BBC director general.
He tried to ride out the latest controversy, too, but it has gathered steam, and the BBC was expected to issue an apology tomorrow for mistakes that have come to light in the past week about Panorama’s editing of a Donald Trump speech, among other issues.
It obviously became apparent that his position – as well as that of CEO of BBC News Deborah Turness – had become untenable.
This comes at a sensitive time for the BBC, with the government set to review the corporation’s royal charter – which essentially gives it the right to exist – before the current term expires in 2027.
As well as carrying the can as editor-in-chief for the latest revelations, he may have decided that the BBC would be better off being led into that phase by someone not associated with this, and other, failings.
