BBC should not pay Trump any money, says former BBC director general

"Speaking to BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Hall said the move should be blocked if Trump proceeded with his threats. No, [it] should not happen, he said. I don't think we should agree to any money being paid to Donald Trump. You're talking about licence fee payers' money, you're talking about public money. It would not be appropriate."

"Hall, who stepped down as director general in 2020 after seven years in the role, called the video edit a serious error, and said it should have been recognised as such much earlier in the whole process. But he said he also worried that the hard work, diligence and the belief in impartiality of BBC journalists had been lost in the debate."

"The row over an episode of Panorama from last year about the Capitol riot in 2021 led to accusations of bias at the broadcaster and the resignation of two of the most senior executives at the BBC: the director general, Tim Davie; and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of news. On Thursday, reports said the BBC faced separate accusations of misleading viewers about Trump's 2021 Capitol speech more than two years before the Panorama edit aired. In an episode broadcast in June 2022, Newsnight reportedly played an edited version of his speech, similar to the one used in the Panorama programme."

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

Donald Trump plans to sue the BBC for up to $5bn despite receiving an apology over a misleading Panorama edit of his 6 January speech. Former BBC director general Tony Hall urged that no payment should be made, arguing licence-fee payers' money and public funds should not be used. The Panorama edit was described as a serious error that required earlier recognition. The controversy prompted accusations of bias and prompted senior resignations, including Tim Davie and Deborah Turness. Separate reports allege a similar edited clip aired on Newsnight in June 2022. The BBC says it upholds high editorial standards and is investigating.

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