The BBC's Director General Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness announced their resignations on Sunday following criticism over the editing of a documentary about U.S. President Donald Trump. The resignations come amid allegations of bias in the broadcaster's coverage of various issues, including Trump's speech on January 6, 2021, which preceded the Capitol riot.

Davie stated that he has been reflecting on the demands of his role and acknowledged the current debate surrounding BBC News. "Like all public organizations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable," he said in a statement. He added, "While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision… I have to take ultimate responsibility."

Turness expressed her decision to resign in a letter to staff, stating that the controversy surrounding the Trump documentary was damaging to the BBC. "As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me," she wrote.

The controversy erupted after a leaked memo from Michael Prescott, a former advisor to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, raised concerns about the editing of Trump's speech. Critics argued that the edits made it appear as though Trump incited violence, omitting parts where he urged supporters to demonstrate peacefully. Prescott's memo highlighted that the edited version of Trump's speech misrepresented the timeline of his remarks, suggesting systemic issues with the BBC's editorial standards.

UK Culture, Media and Sport Minister Lisa Nandy described the allegations as "incredibly serious" and noted that they reflect broader concerns about the BBC's coverage of sensitive topics, including race, gender, and international conflicts. Nandy stated, "There are a series of very serious allegations made, the most serious of which is that there is systemic bias in the way that difficult issues are reported at the BBC."

The BBC has faced scrutiny over its editorial practices in recent months, including previous apologies for flaws in other documentaries. The broadcaster is expected to provide a full response to parliament's culture, media, and sport committee on Monday. The resignations of Davie and Turness mark a significant shift in leadership at the BBC as it navigates these controversies and seeks to restore public trust.