Leak reveals BBC staff anger at Tory-linked board member as Nandy defends broadcaster
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has defended the BBC as a crisis initiated by an edit of a Donald Trump speech engulfs the corporation.
The organisation apologised on Monday after two of its top figures, including director-general Tim Davie, resigned amid concerns about impartiality – notably the editing of a Panorama documentary from October 2024.
It aired the week before the US presidential election and showed an edited speech made by Mr Trump before the 2021 Capitol riot, in which he appeared to tell supporters he was going to walk there with them to “fight like hell”.
Ms Nandy has defended the BBC, saying “some in the House” have suggested the BBC is institutionally biased, but that she disagrees as the BBC is a “light on the hill for people here and across the world”.
“All of us in this House should value it, uphold it and fiercely defend it,” she added.
Pedestrians outside BBC Broadcasting House. Pic: AP
The culture secretary said that she has been in “regular contact” with BBC chair Samir Shah, ensuring that where its standards were not met, “firm, swift and transparent action follows”.
“I welcome the steps that have already been set out and I will keep the House updated as the BBC leadership grips these issues,” she added, saying she agreed with Mr Shah that the national broadcaster has a responsibility to “uphold the highest standards”.
Ms Nandy said a review of the BBC’s Royal Charter will begin “imminently” and a public consultation will be launched, with more details in the “coming weeks”.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn, and a letter dated 9 November from Florida lawyer Alejandro Brito outlines three demands upon the organisation to avoid being sued, with a deadline of 10pm UK time on Friday to respond.
He demanded that the BBC issue a “full and fair retraction” of the documentary, apologise immediately, and “appropriately compensate” Mr Trump.
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Trump’s $1bn lawsuit threat against BBC
Shadow culture secretary Nigel Huddleston has demanded an apology from the BBC to Trump and to the British public.
He told the House of Commons on Tuesday that the corporation is “in a sorry mess… of its own making” and “needs saving from itself”.
Mr Huddleston stressed that his party wants the BBC to succeed and praises its successes, but emphasised that this “requires institutional change and far more than a few moves at the top”.
The problems of the corporation relate to its failure to honour its charter obligation to impartiality, he said.
In an all-staff call on Tuesday morning, the outgoing BBC director-general Mr Davie said the corporation had “made some mistakes that have cost us” but added he was “proud” and that the organisation needed to “fight” for its journalism.
He also admitted: “I think we did make a mistake, and there was an editorial breach, and I think some responsibility had to be taken.”
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Inside the BBC staff call
Mr Davie, who has worked for the BBC for 20 years and been in charge for the past five, is not stepping down immediately.
He said in his departure note to staff that he is “working through exact timings with the board to allow for an orderly transition to a successor over the coming months”.
There are several potential candidates who could replace him and take on the highest-profile role in British broadcasting, which effectively serves as both the corporation’s chief executive and its editor-in-chief across television, radio and online.
In a Q&A with Mr Davie after the all-staff call, staff were frustrated by having their questions vetted, Sky News arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer reports.
Some of the questions were about the controversial appointment of Sir Robbie Gibb, the former Tory director of communications for prime minister Theresa May, to the BBC board.
Robbie Gibb, Theresa May’s then director of communications, leaves No 10 in 2019. Pic: James Veysey/Shutterstock
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But when these questions were getting through the vetting process, staff tried to ask questions in the reply boxes, which were public.
The anonymous comments included questions like “How can we claim to be unbiased if Gibb is on the board?” and “Why is Robbie Gibb still on the board?”.
Read more:
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Who is Sir Robbie Gibb and why are there calls to get him off BBC board?
“I find Robbie Gibb’s continued presence at the BBC to be incredibly demoralising. It feels as if he is fighting against and undermining the work we’re trying to do,” another comment read.
The leaders of the Lib Dems and SNP have both called for Sir Robbie’s removal.
But Ms Nandy told the Commons that the government is “unable” to remove Sir Robbie, as “the charter sets a strict legal threshold that must be met before dismissal of a board member”.
Police are investigating after a “number of people” were believed to have been attacked with pepper spray by a group of men who then fled.
Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.
A statement by the force said: “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.”
What we know so far
• Several assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
• One arrest – police hunt for more suspects
• Incident said to involve people known to each other
• Incident not being treated as terrorism
• 21 people treated by ambulance service – five taken to hospital
• Injuries not believed to be life-threatening
• Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened
Live updates on Heathrow incident
Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism.
London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and treated 21 people, including five who were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.
Increased police presence
Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.
“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.
“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”
A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
‘Significant incident’
The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared.
There was a “full deployment” of resources and the ambulance service is treating it as ongoing.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Firefighters remain at the scene.”
Heathrow is advising passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.
There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line.
National Rail said on its website that lines had been reopened allowing trains to call at Heathrow “following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport”.
It said: “Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11.45am.”
National Highways East said on X: “A serious incident within the @HeathrowAirport Tunnel has resulted in the closure of the #M4 spur road southbound between M4 and J4A.
“@metpoliceuk responding. We’ll keep you updated.”
It later said: “Incident has been resolved and all closures lifted on the #M4 southbound @HeathrowAirport spur road between #M4 and J4A.”
People on social media have reported vehicles were being searched at the airport.
A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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UK
World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
Read more:
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If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
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