BBC apologises to Donald Trump over editing of Panorama but says there isn't 'basis for defamation claim'

The BBC has apologised to Donald Trump over the editing of a speech in a Panorama programme, but won't pay compensation.

The corporation said it was an "error of judgement" and the programme - from shortly before last year's presidential election - will "not be broadcast again in this form on any BBC platforms".

But it added that it "strongly" disagrees that there is "a basis for a defamation claim".

Mr Trump's legal team had threatened to sue the BBC for £1bn (£792m) unless it issued a "full and fair retraction" of the programme, apologised immediately, and "appropriately" compensated the president.

The White House has not offered comment on the BBC's response, and told Sky News to direct questions to "the president's outside counsel on this matter".

Sky News is awaiting a response from the president's counsel.

Mr Trump's legal team earlier revealed the US president has not yet filed a lawsuit against the BBC over the
broadcaster's editing of a speech he made in 2021 on the day his supporters overran the Capitol building.

Legal experts have said that Mr Trump would face challenges taking the case to court in the UK or the US.

Deadlines to bring the case in English courts, where defamation damages rarely exceed £100,000 ($132,000) expired more than a year ago.

Because the documentary was not shown in the US, it would be hard to show that Americans thought less of him because of a programme they could not watch.

What has the BBC said?

In a statement, the corporation said lawyers for the BBC have written to Mr Trump's legal team.

BBC chair Samir Shah has written a personal letter to the White House, "making clear" he and the corporation "are sorry for the edit of the president's speech on 6 January 2021".

"The BBC has no plans to rebroadcast the documentary 'Trump: A Second Chance?' on any BBC platforms," the statement added.

"While the BBC sincerely regrets the manner in which the video clip was edited, we strongly disagree there is a basis for a defamation claim."

Read more: Trump's legal threat in full

The BBC also said it was looking into fresh allegations, published in The Telegraph, that its Newsnight show also selectively edited footage of the same speech in a report broadcast in June 2022.

A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC holds itself to the highest editorial standards. This matter has been brought to our attention and we are now looking into it."

On Sunday evening, two of the BBC's top figures, including the director-general, resigned amid the row over the edit and concerns about impartiality.

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