Nick Robinson Blasts Boris Johnson Amid BBC Anti-Trump Bias Row

Nick Robinson has hit out at Boris Johnson amid a furious row over claims a flagship BBC programme “doctored” a speech by Donald Trump.

The corporation’s chairman, Samir Shah, is set to apologise on Monday following criticism of a Panorama broadcast last October.

A dossier by former BBC adviser Michael Prescott said it had spliced together two sections of President Trump’s speech to supporters shortly before the January 6 riots to give a misleading impression of what he actually said.

Trump’s spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, has branded the BBC “100% fake news” over the controversy.

Writing in the Daily Mail on Saturday, Johnson said BBC director general Tim Davie had serious questions to answer.

The former prime minister said: “It is time for reporters to stand outside Davie’s house, in the time-honoured way, and shout at him: ‘What is your response to the Prescott report? When did you first know that Panorama lied? Why did you do nothing about it?’

“A few days of that and Davie should eventually emerge from his foxhole, and when he does, he should either give a convincing explanation for the Left-wing bias at the BBC, or else resign in favour of someone who will stop the rot.”

In response, Robinson told Radio 4′s Today programme there was “a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation that you are currently listening to”.

Speaking to the Mail on Sunday, Johnson dismissed Robinson’s comments.

He said: “There is a difference between trying to destroy the BBC and trying to hold it to account.

“This is just a diversionary tactic from an organisation that is too arrogant to think it might be at fault.”

Hitting back at the former PM on X, Robinson said: “Hands up all those who think Boris Johnson is well placed to lecture anyone else on upholding standards & admitting mistakes.  As I said this morning on Today, ‘it’s clear that there is a genuine concern about editorial standards and mistakes. There is also a political campaign by people who want to destroy the organisation…Both things are happening at the same time’.”

He added: “We live in a time of deep divisions - about politics & culture - Gaza/Israel, trans & women’s rights, Donald Trump’s policies & politics - to name just three.

“The BBC like many public organisations faces competing pressures about how we should navigate these treacherous waters. We, like others, undoubtedly make mistakes. We, like others, need to listen & learn. We can & will do better but we should stand up to those who prefer propaganda & disinformation.

“To be clear I don’t speak for the BBC. I do, however, hope I speak for many who work in it, watch/listen & read what we report & who want to see the BBC thrive in an era of propaganda & disinformation.

“I look forward to hearing what the Chairman of the BBC will say in response to legitimate concerns which have been raised but I have no idea what he plans to say nor did he - or any other my bosses - know what I said on air today or here on X.”