BBC chairman Samir Shah has responded firmly to US President Donald Trump's legal threats against the corporation, asserting that they are "determined to fight this". This statement comes in the wake of the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news chief Deborah Turness, following accusations of bias and misleading editing related to a speech Trump delivered on January 6, 2021. This speech preceded the storming of the Capitol in Washington by his supporters.

The controversy arose from an hour-long documentary aired as part of the BBC's Panorama series, just days before the 2024 US presidential election. Despite the BBC's apology for what it termed an "error of judgment" in editing the speech, Trump has indicated he will proceed with a lawsuit against the broadcaster. His legal team has threatened to sue for one billion dollars in damages unless the BBC issues a retraction and a further apology.

In a note to staff, which was seen by the PA news agency, Shah emphasised the importance of protecting the interests of licence fee payers. He stated, "There is no basis for a defamation case and we are determined to fight this." He reassured staff of the Executive team's commitment to ensuring the BBC continues to serve its audiences effectively.

In a recent interview with GB News, Trump expressed his belief that he has an "obligation" to sue the BBC, describing the situation as "egregious". He added, "If you don’t do it, you don’t stop it from happening again with other people." Trump indicated that the lawsuit would likely be filed in the United States.

The BBC has maintained its stance, refusing to pay any financial compensation despite the legal threats. The situation continues to develop as both parties prepare for potential legal proceedings.