Tim Davie resigns as BBC director general after accusations of ‘serious and systemic’ bias in coverage

Davie tells staff departure was ‘my own decision’ but it comes with the BBC preparing to apologise for the way it edited a Trump speech

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general, and the head of BBC News have resigned after a former adviser to the corporation accused it of “serious and systemic” bias in its coverage of issues including Donald Trump, Gaza and trans rights.

In a shock move, Davie said his depature was his own, but comes with the BBC preparing to apologise for the way the broadcaster edited a Donald Trump speech.

Deborah Turness, head of BBC News, has also resigned. It follows claims by a former adviser to the broadcaster that it suffered from bias.

The Commons culture, media and sport select committee has given the BBC a deadline of Monday to respond to the claims made by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to its editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC). He left that role in the summer.