My licence fee should not be used to compensate the BBC's incompetence

Donald Trump is threatening to sue the BBC (Image: GETTY/PA)

BBC bosses are facing a growing public backlash after a petition was launched demanding the corporation refuse to use licence fee money to compensate Donald Trump, following the former US president’s threat of a $1billion lawsuit over an allegedly misleading Panorama documentary. The petition, created by Ian Fisher, urges the BBC to guarantee that no public funds will be used in any potential settlement.

It follows the resignation of two senior executives — BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness and director-general Tim Davie — after a report found serious editorial failings in the editing of Mr Trump’s speech ahead of the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The controversy stems from a report by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC’s editorial standards committee, who said clips of Mr Trump’s speech were spliced together to make it appear he had called on supporters to march to the Capitol and “fight like hell”.

BBC Director General Tim Davie makes a statement on Tuesday (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

His memo triggered more than 500 complaints and prompted BBC chairman Samir Shah to apologise for an “error of judgment” in the way the footage was presented.

The petition, posted on the Change.org website, has garnered more than 12,000 signatures since it was launched on Monday.

Mr Fisher said: “As a TV licence payer in the UK, I am compelled by law to contribute a mandatory fee, often referred to as a TV tax, regardless of whether I actively use the BBC’s services or not. The BBC, being a publicly funded entity, should represent the interests and values of the British public.

"Any decision to compensate Trump, a figure whose political and business dealings have been mired in controversy, would be inappropriate and against the ethos of public service broadcasting.

"Such an action would mean using public funds for purposes that many licence payers might find objectionable.” Rather than compensating Donald Trump, the BBC "should focus on transparency and accountability in its financial dealings”, Mr Fisher insisted.

BBC's Tim Davie to step down following Trump speech edit

He continued: "If any compensation is indeed granted to Donald Trump, it is only fair and just that an equivalent sum should be refunded to TV licence payers. 

"This would serve as a gesture of goodwill and reassurance that their money will not be used for questionable financial settlements."

Mr Trump’s lawyer Alejandro Brito said: “Failure to comply will leave President Trump with no choice but to pursue any and all legal rights and remedies available.”

He added that the former president would seek damages “for no less than 1,000,000,000 dollars” if the BBC did not retract what he described as “false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We will review the letter and respond directly in due course.”

The dispute comes as the UK Government prepares to review the BBC’s Royal Charter and examine alternatives to the licence fee before the current charter period ends in 2027.

Mr Shah said: “The BBC board will revisit every item raised in Mr Prescott’s memo, including coverage of Gaza, and take further action where appropriate.”

Downing Street has defended the broadcaster, saying it is “not corrupt nor institutionally biased”.

Veteran presenter David Dimbleby said: “This is one of the most violent assaults on the BBC’s independence.”

As public anger builds, the petition is rapidly gaining support, reflecting deep frustration among licence fee payers over how the BBC handles its finances and editorial integrity during one of the most damaging crises in its modern history.