The resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and his head of news Deborah Turness dominate Monday’s newspapers. “BBC bosses quit in shame,” headlines the Daily Mail. The broadcaster has come under fire over a Panorama documentary accused of misleadingly editing a speech by Donald Trump to make it appear he was urging people to attack the US Capitol. The newspaper quotes Davie’s statement as saying that “mistakes have been made and as CEO I have to take ultimate responsibility.”
The Daily Telegraph describes the double resignations as “the BBC’s biggest crisis for more than a decade”. The newspaper also includes comments from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, saying it was right that BBC bosses “finally took responsibility”. In his farewell statement, Turness says: “While mistakes have been made, I want to make it absolutely clear that recent allegations that BBC News has institutional bias are wrong.”
“It looks like a coup d’état,” says a BBC source quoted by The Guardian. The newspaper reports that sources within the corporation describe a “mood of dismay” at Turness’ departure, as the quest now begins to fill “two of the most important roles in British media.”
The i Paper begins with “BBC bosses quit over failed Trump film.” The newspaper claims the White House is boasting that Trump “ousted” the corporation’s CEO.
The Sun continues with the US president’s reaction to the news of Davie and Turness’ departures. In a post on Truth Social, Trump writes: “TOP people at the BBC, including TIM DAVIE, the BOSS, are resigning/FIRED, because they were caught “tampering” with my very good (PERFECT!) speech on January 6th.”
“Death by a thousand cuts” is how insiders describe Davie’s departure, the Times reports. The newspaper says a number of issues, including complaints about the BBC’s coverage of Gaza and trans issues, contributed to Davie’s resignation.
“Furr over Trump documentary,” says the Financial Times. The paper reports that Davie and Turness’ resignations come as the BBC is set to apologize to MPs over the Panorama documentary on Monday.
“Boss resigns because BBC altered Trump’s speech” is the opinion of the Daily Express. Elsewhere, the newspaper features King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attending Remembrance Day tributes on Sunday. A photo of the princess wiping away a tear during the event shares the top spot.
“Tears of the crown” is the headline of the Metro. A photograph of the King saluting at the Cenotaph takes up the front page as the newspaper reports on his “emotive” tribute to those who died serving in the two world wars and other conflicts.
“Crisis at the Beeb,” says the Daily Mirror. The paper also features an exclusive on TV presenter Caroline Flack, who took her own life in 2020 while facing trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend. The Mirror quotes a former head of the Crown Prosecution Service as saying Flack “should never have been charged”.
The Daily Star profiles “Britain’s tallest Tory”, who, according to the paper, promises to become a “political giant”. James McAlpine towers on the newspaper’s front page, standing at 219 cm (7 ft 2 in).
Finally, The Independent splashes its campaign in support of missing young people. The newspaper is teaming up with charity Missing People for a new SafeCall service which will provide a lifeline to those affected by a missing child.
