BBC is ‘going to be thriving’, says outgoing Director-General Tim Davie after he resigned over ‘doctored’ Trump speech
Outgoing BBC director-general Tim Davie says the broadcaster will be ‘thriving’ as he prepares to leave following the Trump Panorama scandal.
The former marketing executive spoke to journalists outside New Broadcasting House in London this morning as he made his first public appearance since announcing his resignation on Sunday.
Mr Davie, who looked solemn before perking up to greet reporters, said: ‘I’m here to lead and support the BBC – I’m very, very proud of our journalists in this building.
‘They’re doing work that I think is incredibly important – I want to thank every one of them, they’re doing a wonderful job. Also, everyone across the BBC doing their thing for the UK.
‘Personally, I’m here to lead and support them. The BBC is going to be thriving and I support every one of the team. I’m very proud of them.’
Mr Davie, who arrived at work wearing white trainers and a dark blue suit, declined to answer any questions from reporters, flashing them a brief thumbs up as he turned to enter the building.
Tim Davie, outgoing director-general of the BBC, pictured outside New Broadcasting House today
Mr Davie, who announced his resignation on Sunday, said the BBC would be ‘thriving’ in future
Mr Davie looked solemn as he arrived at New Broadcasting House
Alongside head of BBC News Deborah Turness, Mr Davie said on Sunday he would depart from the corporation following several rows over its impartiality.
The furore blew up last week when it emerged that news programme Panorama had aired a misleading edit of US President Donald Trump that gave the impression he was explicitly encouraging violence hours before the January 6 Capitol riot.
Yesterday, BBC chairman Samir Shah sensationally admitted an ‘error of judgement’ in the editing and confirmed he had received a letter from the President’s lawyers threatening to sue for $1billion (£761million).
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