Tim Davie, the Director-General of the BBC, and Deborah Turness, the CEO of BBC News, both resigned on November 9, 2025, amid significant controversy surrounding the editing of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump in a Panorama documentary. The documentary, titled "Trump: A Second Chance?," faced criticism for allegedly misrepresenting Trump's remarks regarding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots by omitting parts where he called for peaceful protest.

The BBC's editing of Trump's speech, which spliced together segments to suggest he incited violence, has been described as misleading. A leaked internal memo from Michael Prescott, a former adviser to the BBC's editorial standards committee, indicated that the edits created a false narrative about Trump's intentions during the speech. Prescott characterized the editing as "shocking" and claimed it materially misled viewers.

In their resignation statements, both Davie and Turness acknowledged the need for accountability within the organization. Davie stated that while the BBC generally performs well, mistakes had been made, and he accepted ultimate responsibility as Director-General. Turness emphasized that the controversy had escalated to a point where it was damaging to the BBC's reputation, despite asserting that allegations of institutional bias were unfounded.

The resignations come at a time when the BBC is under heightened scrutiny, facing criticism not only for the Trump documentary but also for its coverage of other sensitive topics, including the Israel-Gaza conflict and transgender issues. The BBC, funded by a license fee paid by UK households, is mandated to maintain impartiality, making it particularly vulnerable to public and political criticism.

BBC Chairman Samir Shah expressed regret over the resignations, praising both leaders for their service during challenging times. The government is currently reviewing the BBC's royal charter, which outlines its funding and regulatory responsibilities, and this review may prompt further discussions about the organization's approach to impartiality and accountability in its reporting.