POLL: Is the BBC finished after latest scandal?

Two of the BBC's top leaders resigned on Sunday following a controversy over impartiality and bias that has rocked the UK's public broadcaster. Director-General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness stepped down after The Telegraph leaked an internal memo revealing "serious and systemic" bias in its coverage of issues including Gaza, trans rights and a Panorama documentary the BBC had edited of US President Donald Trump's January 6, 2021, speech in a way that made it appear as though he directly encouraged the Capitol riot.

In his resignation letter, Davie said the decision was "entirely" his own and took "ultimate responsibility" for the mistakes made under his leadership. He said: "Like all public organisations, the BBC is not perfect, and we must always be open, transparent and accountable. While not being the only reason, the current debate around BBC News has understandably contributed to my decision.

"Overall the BBC is delivering well, but there have been some mistakes made and as Director-General I have to take ultimate responsibility.

"Our organisation is a critical ingredient of a healthy society, as well as a thriving creative sector. We should champion it, not weaponise it."

Turness said: "The ongoing controversy around the Panorama on President Trump has reached a stage where it is causing damage to the BBC - an institution that I love.

"As the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me - and I took the decision to offer my resignation to the director-general last night."

BBC Chairman Samir Shah commented: "This is a sad day for the BBC. Tim has been an outstanding Director-General for the last five years. He has propelled the BBC forward with determination, single-mindedness and foresight.

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"He has had the full support of me and the Board throughout. However, I understand the continued pressure on him, personally and professionally, which has led him to take this decision today. The whole Board respects the decision and the reasons for it."

Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy thanked Davie and stated that he "led the BBC through a period of significant change".

She added: "The BBC is one of our most important national institutions... Now more than ever, the need for trusted news and high quality programming is essential to our democratic and cultural life, and our place in the world."

Nandy also said the Panorama issue was "very serious" but that there also a series of "very serious allegations" that had been made about the BBC, "the most serious of which is that there is systemic bias in the way that difficult issues are reported at the BBC".

Nandy expressed concern that editorial standards and said the language used in reporting were "entirely inconsistent," whether covering topics like Israel and Gaza, trans issues, or the controversy involving President Trump.