Sources within the BBC have disclosed that a board member with strong Conservative party connections spearheaded internal criticisms regarding alleged systemic bias in the corporation's journalism.
Pressure Mounts on BBC Leadership
According to insiders, Robbie Gibb, who previously served as Theresa May's communications chief and was appointed to the BBC board during Boris Johnson's administration, significantly amplified complaints about coverage concerning Donald Trump, the Gaza conflict, and transgender rights. These criticisms emerged during crucial board meetings that occurred before the unexpected resignations of both Director General Tim Davie and Head of BBC News Deborah Turness.
The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, has publicly demanded Gibb's removal from the BBC board before the search for a new director general commences. In a statement, Davey emphasised that Gibb's political background and alleged history of editorial interference make him unsuitable for the role, calling for an end to political appointments to safeguard the BBC's impartiality.
Legal Threats and Internal Apologies
The corporation faces external legal pressure alongside its internal turmoil. Donald Trump has threatened the BBC with a billion-dollar lawsuit concerning an edited segment in a Panorama episode broadcast over a year ago. His legal counsel, Alejandro Brito, has demanded an immediate retraction of what he describes as "false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements," setting a deadline for this Friday.
In response to one of the criticisms, BBC Chair Samir Shah issued an apology for the Trump edit, acknowledging an "error of judgment" in how the programme spliced together two parts of a speech Trump made before the January 2021 attack on the US Capitol. However, Shah pushed back against the broader allegations outlined in a memo by former external adviser Michael Prescott, characterising it as a "partial" and "personal" account that does not reflect the full scope of internal discussions.
A Divided Board and Political Denials
The internal dynamics of the BBC board have come under scrutiny. Insiders report that Gibb, one of 13 board members, held significant sway during discussions about Prescott's memo, with some attributing his influence to a perceived lack of editorial expertise among other members. It is understood that one board member who was typically supportive of the BBC's editorial efforts was absent from last week's meeting, where increased pressure was applied to Deborah Turness.
Suggestions of a politically motivated campaign from the right have been firmly denied. Boris Johnson dismissed such notions as "complete and utter bollocks," while the BBC has stated that Gibb was merely one member of a four-person panel that appointed Prescott and just one voice among many on the board. For his part, Prescott has asserted that his criticisms "do not come with any political agenda."
The government has indicated it lacks the formal power to remove a BBC board member, with a source stating their "hands are tied" and that the matter is for the board to address. Gibb's tenure is currently scheduled to run until 2028.
