Nick Robinson has hit out at Boris Johnson amid a livid row over claims a flagship BBC programme “doctored” a speech by Donald Trump.
The company’s chairman, Samir Shah, is about to apologise on Monday following criticism of a Panorama broadcast final October.
A file by former BBC adviser Michael Prescott mentioned it had spliced collectively two sections of President Trump’s speech to supporters shortly earlier than the January 6 riots to offer a deceptive impression of what he really mentioned.
Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, has branded the BBC “100% pretend information” over the controversy.
Writing within the Daily Mail on Saturday, Johnson mentioned BBC director normal Tim Davie had critical inquiries to reply.
The former prime minister mentioned: “It is time for reporters to face exterior Davie’s home, within the time-honoured means, and shout at him: ‘What is your response to the Prescott report? When did you first know that Panorama lied? Why did you do nothing about it?’
“A couple of days of that and Davie ought to finally emerge from his foxhole, and when he does, he ought to both give a convincing rationalization for the Left-wing bias on the BBC, or else resign in favour of somebody who will cease the rot.”
In response, Robinson advised Radio 4′s Today programme there was “a political marketing campaign by individuals who need to destroy the organisation that you’re at present listening to”.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Johnson dismissed Robinson’s feedback.
He mentioned: “There is a distinction between making an attempt to destroy the BBC and making an attempt to carry it to account.
“This is only a diversionary tactic from an organisation that’s too smug to suppose it could be at fault.”
Hitting again on the former PM on X, Robinson mentioned: “Hands up all those that suppose Boris Johnson is properly positioned to lecture anybody else on upholding requirements & admitting errors. As I mentioned this morning on Today, ‘it’s clear that there’s a real concern about editorial requirements and errors. There can also be a political marketing campaign by individuals who need to destroy the organisation…Both issues are occurring on the identical time’.”
He added: “We stay in a time of deep divisions – about politics & tradition – Gaza/Israel, trans & girls’s rights, Donald Trump’s insurance policies & politics – to call simply three.
“The BBC like many public organisations faces competing pressures about how we should always navigate these treacherous waters. We, like others, undoubtedly make errors. We, like others, have to pay attention & study. We can & will do higher however we should always stand as much as those that choose propaganda & disinformation.
“To be clear I don’t converse for the BBC. I do, nonetheless, hope I converse for a lot of who work in it, watch/pay attention & learn what we report & who need to see the BBC thrive in an period of propaganda & disinformation.
“I sit up for listening to what the Chairman of the BBC will say in response to reliable issues which have been raised however I do not know what he plans to say nor did he – or some other my bosses – know what I mentioned on air at this time or right here on X.”
