BBC Board Member resigns over ‘Governance Issues’

A senior BBC board member resigned after saying he was cut out of key discussions before the sudden departure of director general Tim Davie.

Shumeet Banerji was abroad when board talks took place that also preceded the resignation of BBC News head Deborah Turness.

Their exits followed tense debates on how the corporation should respond to claims of liberal bias made by Michael Prescott.

Prescott had served as an independent external adviser to the BBC’s editorial guidelines and standards committee until leaving the role in the summer.

Banerji cited “governance issues” and said in a letter that he had not been consulted about events leading to the resignations.

The letter is being seen internally as a pointed criticism of BBC chair Samir Shah amid mounting anger over the handling of Prescott’s memo.

Prescott’s memo alleged systemic bias in BBC reporting of Donald Trump, Gaza and transgender rights.

Some BBC insiders believed the pressure from the allegations amounted to “a coup” by the political right to influence news coverage.

However, Shah has dismissed those claims as fanciful.

Banerji’s departure increases scrutiny on Sir Robbie Gibb, a BBC board member accused of repeatedly raising concerns about liberal bias within the corporation.

Gibb previously served as communications chief to Theresa May and has described himself as a “proper Thatcherite Conservative”.

Boris Johnson appointed Gibb to the BBC board, and the former Conservative government confirmed his new term shortly before the recent general election.

Banerji had often been regarded as a counterweight to concerns raised by Gibb and others on issues of political balance.

His resignation leaves the corporation more exposed as it begins searching for a new director general.

Some staff believe there is clear alignment between the concerns raised separately by Prescott and Gibb.

It had been reported that the two were friends, but the Guardian established that Gibb served on the panel that appointed Prescott.

Prescott has said his concerns “do not come with any political agenda”.

The board-level resignation comes as both men prepare to face MPs on November 24.

The Commons culture, media and sport committee wants to understand how internal events escalated to the point of Davie resigning.

Prescott’s memo was provided to the board weeks ago and later leaked to the Daily Telegraph. The newspaper reported its contents across several articles over consecutive days.

One key issue raised was concern about the editing of a Donald Trump speech for a Panorama broadcast. The US president has since threatened to sue the BBC, potentially seeking damages of billions.

Shah has said Prescott’s memo provided a partial and personal account rather than a full reflection of the discussions inside the corporation.

MPs, BBC staff and Bectu, the main BBC union, have called for Gibb to be removed from the board over alleged political interference.

Supporters of Gibb say he is acting out of genuine commitment to protecting impartiality and defending the BBC.

The broadcaster has said he is only one of several voices on the board.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Shumeet Banerji today notified the BBC board of his resignation.

“Mr Banerji’s term on the board as a non-executive director was due to end at the end of December and we thank him for his service.

“The search for a replacement is already well underway and we will update further in due course.”