UK PM says BBC should ‘correct errors’ as Trump mulls lawsuit

AFP/APP

London:British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday warned that the BBC should “get their house in order” after US President Donald Trump said he had an “obligation” to sue the corporation for $1 billion over a misleading speech edit.

Speaking in parliament, Starmer said he supported a “strong and independent BBC,” but stressed that the broadcaster must “uphold the highest standards to be accountable and correct errors quickly.”

“Where mistakes are made, they do need to get their house in order,” he said in response to a question urging him to persuade Trump to abandon his legal threat.

Trump’s lawyers threatened the British broadcaster with a billion-dollar lawsuit on Monday, according to a letter seen by AFP, as the BBC apologised for giving the impression that the president had urged “violent action” ahead of the 2021 assault on the US Capitol.

In a Fox News interview recorded Monday, Trump said he felt compelled to sue the BBC.

“I think I have an obligation to do it because you can’t allow people to do that,” Trump said, without confirming whether he had officially begun defamation proceedings. “They defrauded the public and they’ve admitted it.”

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White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt later said the president had been “deeply concerned” by the “purposeful and dishonest editing of his speech,” but added that he enjoyed a good relationship with the UK prime minister.

BBC apology

Starmer’s government has been performing a delicate balancing act—backing the broadcaster’s independence while avoiding taking sides against Trump.

The BBC director-general and the organisation’s top news executive resigned Sunday over the controversy. The corporation said it would “review” the letter from Trump’s legal team.

BBC chair Samir Shah issued a public apology on Monday for an “error of judgement” made in the editing.

According to a YouGov poll published Tuesday, 57 percent of Britons believe the BBC should apologise directly to the US president, while a quarter opposed such a move.

The row comes at a politically sensitive time for the BBC, which is due to renegotiate the Royal Charter that defines its governance. The current charter expires in 2027.

Trump has been accused of launching several lawsuits to stifle criticism in the US media since returning to power in January.

The BBC documentary featuring the edited Trump speech was aired last year. It appeared he had told supporters he would walk to the US Capitol with them and “fight like hell,” though he also said in the same speech: “We’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women.”