Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not intervened to ask former US President Donald Trump to drop his colossal $10 billion defamation lawsuit against the BBC, it has been confirmed.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
The lawsuit, filed overnight, centres on a Panorama documentary that featured edited clips of Mr Trump's speech on January 6, 2021 – the day of the Capitol Riots. A leaked internal BBC memo earlier this year first raised concerns about how the footage was spliced together.
In a 33-page legal document, Mr Trump's legal team accuses the corporation of broadcasting a "false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction" of him. They argue the edit was a deliberate attempt to interfere in the 2024 US presidential election.
Political Reactions and the BBC's Defence
Despite alarm over the broadcaster potentially facing ruinous financial penalties, it is understood the Prime Minister has not spoken directly to Mr Trump about the case. However, the government has reiterated its support for the BBC as an institution.
The PM's official spokesman stated: "We will always defend the principle of a strong, independent BBC as a trusted and relied upon national broadcaster, reporting without fear or favour." He added that it was vital for the BBC to "maintain trust, correcting mistakes quickly when they occur."
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock, in media interviews, suggested the BBC was right to stand firm. He acknowledged mistakes in the Panorama film but supported the broadcaster's broader stance that there is "no case to answer" on defamation.
Fallout and Calls for Action
The scandal has already had significant internal consequences, costing both Director-General Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness their jobs. The BBC itself has previously argued that Mr Trump's reputation could not have been damaged as the programme was not broadcast in the US and he went on to win the 2024 election.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has been vocal, urging the Prime Minister to defend the BBC against what he called an "outrageous legal threat." He warned that the Trump administration aimed to undermine British democracy and that licence fee-payers should be protected from footing any potential bill.
When questioned on whether public funds should cover a settlement, the PM's spokesman responded, "I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves." The BBC has not yet formally responded to the latest legal filing.
