Tim Davie and Deborah Turness FREE: The BBC talks in full

BBC Director General Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Treness resignedafter a newspaper report suggested a BBC Panorama documentary had misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump.

They announced their resignations in separate emails to all BBC staff, at 18:00.

BBC chair Samir Shah also released a statement.

Here are their statements in full:

Dear All

I want to inform you that I have decided to leave the BBC after 20 years. This is all my decision, and I remain grateful to the chairs and the board for their unwavering and united support throughout my days.

I am working through exact board hours to allow for a smooth transition to a successor in the coming months.

I reflect on the intense personal and professional demands of managing this role during several febrile periods, mixed with an hour of time to help the charter plans they will help.

In these busy times, the BBC is of incredible value and speaks to the best of us. It helps make the UK a special place; very kind, tolerant and curious. Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While there is no real reason, the current debate around BBC News is known to have influenced my decision. Overall the BBC’s delivery has been good, but some mistakes have been made and as Director General I have to take the greatest responsibility.

Our organization is a critical component of a healthy society, as well as a growing creative sector. We need it started, not a weapon.

Despite a highly competitive market, I am proud that the BBC remains the most trusted Global Evening brand. We continue to ensure that it is used by almost everyone in the UK as well as hundreds of millions of people around the world. Despite the inevitable issues and challenges, our journalism and quality content continue to be hailed as the gold standard. Our transition to a digital organization has been impressive, and our commercial innovations have been praised Globally. Likewise, our collaboration in making sure we have the right culture is important and inspiring. I could not be more impressed with your achievement.

You ask why now, why this time?

I am the BBC through and through for the last 20 years of my life working for this organization as Director of Marketing, Audio Communications and Mirmectors, Director of Audio and Chief Director of BBC Studios. I thought a lot about it and wanted it to succeed. So I want to create the best conditions and space for a new DG to come and positively shape the next royal charter. I hope that as we move forward, a reasonable, calm and reasoned public conversation will take place about the next chapter of the BBC.

This time allows a new DG to help shape the next charter. I believe we are in a strong position to deliver growth.

Thanks again, it was an excellent ride, which I loved. I consider myself very fortunate to have served as DG No.17. I will meet a proper opportunity to see most of you go but I am not very proud to have led the BBC as DG for five years. This is a valuable UK institution and you are a world class team. Thank you all for the tireless support and friendship.

I have always been a passionate cheerleader for civilized society, a strong BBC and a prosperous UK.

Best wishes,

Timos

Dear All,

I have never been more proud of the work you do every day. You are truly the best of the best.

I took the difficult decision that it is no longer my role to guide you in the collective vision we all have: to pursue the truth without an agenda.

The ongoing controversy surrounding President Trump’s panorama has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC – an institution I love.

As the CEO of BBC News and current affairs, the buck stopped me – and I got the decision to offer my resignation to the Director-General last night.

In public life leaders must be fully accountable, and that is why I am passing. While mistakes have been made, I want to make absolutely clear allegations that BBC News is wrong.

In a polarized world, BBC News Journalism is more important than ever, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work you do. Together we are opening a global trend, to grow trust in BBC News, and I want to thank you, wherever you are in the world, for your brave work to realize that.

I ask you: Please keep the courage to continue our mission. I only regret not being there to lead and champion your excellent journalism.

It is a great privilege to work with all of you.

I will now work with Tim to plan a smooth handover to ensure that my decision to step away causes the least amount of disruption that you do.

With best wishes,

Deborah

Dear All,

I am writing to you all on a very difficult day, following the news that our director general Tim Davie is stepping down. News CEO Deborah Real Rebah.

On behalf of the BBC board I would like to extend my sincere thanks to both for their unwavering service and commitment to the BBC.

It’s a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding director’s director for the past five years. He urged the BBC forward with determination, single-willness and vision.

He has the full support of me and the board throughout. However, I understand the ongoing pressure on him, both personal and professional, that has led him to take this decision now. The entire board respects the decision and reasons for it.

Tim gave 20 years of his life to the BBC. He is a passionate and inspirational leader and a firm believer in the BBC and public service broadcasting. He achieved a great deal. First, under his owner, the transformation of the BBC to meet the challenges of a world of unprecedented change and competition has begun.

Personally, I miss his stamina, good humor and strength and I don’t want to work with him. I wish him and his family the best for the future.

I would also like to thank Deborah for her leadership of BBC News over the last three years. He transformed the news operation with real commitment and a clear vision of the future.

He has acted with integrity in challenging circumstances and has left a strong legacy on which to build for the millions around the world who trust and rely on the voice of BBC News every day.

Tim also asked me to pass on the following words related to Deborah’s departure. He said: “Over the past three years, Deborah has led the newsroom with extraordinary energy, changing the way the UK’s most used news and the UK’s most trusted news and the most trusted international news.

“She has been a valued colleague and a passionate advocate for her team of more than 5,000 people who work round the clock and around the world, on and off air, to report without fear or favor in an age where press freedom has never been under greater pressure. Deborah offered her resignation to me last night, and I want to thank her for all that she has done and to wish her the very best for her future.”

I know this is a difficult time for everyone connected with the BBC and it goes without saying that this is an important time for the organisation.

On behalf of the board, I want to assure you all that we will do everything we can to ensure a smooth transition as we appoint Tim’s successor. We will continue to work with Tim during this interim period.

In terms of news, Deborah agreed to support the organization to work through a smooth Handover.

I understand this has been frustrating for all of us, but I remain determined that the BBC will continue to deliver a class of public service in the days, weeks ahead.

I will be back in touch to update you all as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Samir Shah