Toxic culture of distrust at BBC led to recent resignations, former deputy director says

"A bitter row is still raging over the events that led up to the resignations of the director general, Tim Davie, and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News. The pair resigned after disputed accusations of systemic problems at the BBC by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser. His memo, outlining his concerns about reporting over Donald Trump, Gaza and trans issues, was leaked to the Daily Telegraph."

"Have recent appointments changed that into what I think is a culture of over-assertion, lack of self consciousness, insufficient reflection on what their job is? I think that there's enough evidence to presuppose that something is not right in that equation. You've got toxic mix of, in my view, a lack of a benign corporate culture and benign sense of reflection and self consciousness, with a management that feels embattled and there you have the coordinates for trouble."

Two senior BBC editorial leaders, director general Tim Davie and chief executive of BBC News Deborah Turness, resigned after a leaked memo from former external adviser Michael Prescott accused the broadcaster of systemic problems in reporting on Donald Trump, Gaza and trans issues. Mark Damazer warned of a toxic top-level culture marked by over-assertive board members and executives who feel under siege. Damazer said he did not believe Robbie Gibb acted with malign intent but criticized a lack of board self-reflection and over-assertion. The situation intensified scrutiny of BBC chair Samir Shah amid accusations he exacerbated the crisis.

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