Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to defend British interests as former US President Donald Trump prepares to sue the BBC for up to £3.8 billion over allegations of misleading editing in a Panorama documentary.
Political Pressure Mounts on Prime Minister
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called on the Prime Minister to use his close relationship with Trump to persuade him to drop what he described as a "ludicrous lawsuit". The political challenge comes at a sensitive time for UK-US relations, with Mr Trump claiming he plans to call Sir Keir this weekend to discuss the matter.
"This is Keir Starmer's moment to stand up for Britain and call on Trump to drop his ludicrous lawsuit," Davey declared. "The Prime Minister has spent months cosying up to Trump. If he can't stop him from attacking one of our most precious institutions, what was it all for?"
The Legal Battle Takes Shape
The controversy stems from a Panorama film that contained edited footage appearing to show Trump inciting Capitol Hill protesters to violence on January 6, 2021. Although the programme wasn't available in the US, legal experts believe the case could still proceed in Florida courts, where juries might be sympathetic to the former president.
BBC chairman Samir Shah has already sent a personal apology to the White House, but this hasn't satisfied Trump, who stated on Air Force One: "I think I have to do it. They've even admitted that they cheated... They changed the words coming out of my mouth."
In a separate GB News interview, Trump branded the BBC "corrupt" and "beyond fake," claiming he had an "obligation" to pursue legal action to prevent similar incidents occurring with other public figures.
Financial Implications for Licence Fee Payers
The potential lawsuit has sent shockwaves through the BBC, raising concerns about the corporation having to spend huge amounts of licence-fee payers' money either fighting the case or reaching a settlement. Former Trump campaign official Sam Nunberg believes the BBC faces a "high seven figures" settlement, suggesting the corporation should take the threat "extremely seriously."
The situation draws parallels with a recent case where US media giant Paramount agreed to pay Trump £13.5 million to settle a lawsuit over an edited CBS interview with former Vice-President Kamala Harris.
Sir Craig Oliver, a former BBC executive and communications director for David Cameron, described the situation as a "nightmare" for the corporation, noting that "public money could be spent – or is going to be spent – fighting this or settling this."
Divided Opinions on BBC Response
While some advocate for fighting the lawsuit, former Tory Culture Secretary Sir John Whittingdale warned that defending "what was clearly a very serious failing of editorial judgment in an American court" would be "highly undesirable" and could strain relations with Britain's closest ally.
In contrast, Lord Patten, a former BBC chairman, urged defiance: "The BBC board should tell Donald Trump they will see him in court. The BBC is part of our democracy, and an important part. I am not in favour of kowtowing to Trump about this absurd charge."
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for the BBC to appoint an internal watchdog to prevent similar scandals, criticising the corporation for repeatedly "misjudging the nation's mood" and "mishandling its people."
The BBC maintains its position, with a spokesman stating: "While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim." As the legal storm gathers, all eyes turn to Downing Street and how Sir Keir Starmer will respond to this unprecedented challenge to British media.
