The BBC has issued an apology to Donald Trump concerning the editing of a speech in a recent Panorama programme, but has firmly refused to pay any compensation and disputes the basis of a defamation claim.
The corporation described the edit as an “error of judgement” and confirmed the controversial programme, which aired shortly before last year’s presidential election, will “not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms.”
However, in a robust statement, it added that it “strongly” disagrees that there is “a basis for a defamation claim.”
This response comes after Mr Trump’s legal team threatened to sue the broadcaster for £1 billion unless it issued a “full and fair retraction,” apologised immediately, and provided appropriate compensation to the former president.
The White House has so far declined to comment on the BBC’s statement, directing enquiries to “the president’s outside counsel on this matter.”
Legal experts have suggested that Mr Trump would face significant hurdles in pursuing a case, whether in the UK or the US. In England, the deadlines to file a defamation claim have already expired, and damages awarded by courts there rarely surpass £100,000. Furthermore, as the documentary was not broadcast in the United States, it would be difficult to prove that it caused harm to his reputation among the American public.
What has the BBC said?
In its detailed statement, the corporation confirmed that its lawyers have written to Mr Trump’s legal team. Additionally, BBC Chair Samir Shah has sent a personal letter to the White House, “making clear” he and the corporation “are sorry for the edit of the president’s speech on 6 January 2021.”
“The BBC has no plans to rebroadcast the documentary ‘Trump: A Second Chance?’ on any BBC platforms,” the statement continued. “While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim.”
The broadcaster also addressed fresh allegations, published in The Telegraph, that its Newsnight programme selectively edited footage of the same speech in a 2022 report. A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention, and we are now looking into it.”
This row follows the resignation of two of the BBC’s most senior figures, including the director-general, on Sunday evening, amid the ongoing controversy over the edit and wider concerns about impartiality.
