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BBC board member Shumeet Banerji resigns, cites ‘governance issues’

In a letter, he also said he was “not consulted” about the events leading to the departures of director general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.

Shumeet Banerji

Banerji confirmed his resignation on Friday. (Photo credit: LinkedIn)

BBC BOARD member Shumeet Banerji has resigned, saying there were “governance issues” at the top of the corporation.

In a letter, he also said he was “not consulted” about the events leading to the departures of director general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.


Banerji confirmed his resignation on Friday, the BBC said. Davie and Turness resigned earlier in November after the fallout from a Panorama episode that edited parts of a 2021 speech by US president Donald Trump.

The board oversees the corporation’s strategy. Banerji’s comments appear to criticise chairman Samir Shah and other board members. His resignation comes days before Shah, Sir Robbie Gibb and Caroline Thomson are due to appear before the Culture Media and Sport Committee on Monday, BBC reported.

MPs have already raised concerns about political appointees on the board. They are expected to face questions about claims in a leaked document that the BBC has “systemic issues” in coverage of topics including the Israel-Gaza conflict and sex and gender.

The document, written by Michael Prescott and published by the Telegraph, also highlighted the Panorama edit. Turness and Davie rejected the claims.

The corporation has since acknowledged the edit gave “the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action” on January 6, 2021.

Trump has threatened to sue, saying the programme defamed him. The BBC has apologised but refused compensation.

A BBC spokesperson said Banerji notified the board of his resignation and thanked him for his service.

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Shumeet Banerji stepped down from the BBC board after weeks of turmoil inside the broadcaster

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Shumeet Banerji quits BBC board after Trump documentary fallout

Highlights:

  • Another shake-up at the BBC board
  • Banerji says he was not told before senior exits
  • Resignation lands days before key committee hearing
  • The Trump documentary edit still hanging over the broadcaster

Shumeet Banerji’s BBC board resignation dropped quietly on Friday. The Indian-origin investor stepped down after saying he was not consulted over the exit of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief Deborah Turness. The move links straight back to the Trump documentary edit, the flashpoint that has shaken the broadcaster for weeks.

Shumeet Banerji Shumeet Banerji stepped down from the BBC board after weeks of turmoil inside the broadcaster Instagrab Screengrab/jeffreyklump

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