Former United States President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the British Broadcasting Corporation for one billion dollars over the editing of a Panorama documentary that covered his speech before the January sixth attack on the United States Capitol. The BBC's chairman, Samir Shah, has apologised for an 'error of judgment' in the editing, which critics say misleadingly suggested Trump called for violent action, omitting his call for peaceful demonstration. The controversy has led to the resignation of two senior BBC figures and prompted over 500 complaints, as well as a demand from Trump's lawyers for a retraction of what they call 'false, defamatory, disparaging, and inflammatory statements.'

The BBC has said it will review Trump's legal letter and respond in due course, while Shah insists the broadcaster is committed to impartiality and transparency. Downing Street has defended the BBC, rejecting claims of corruption or institutional bias. The BBC board has pledged to revisit the issues raised in the internal report that sparked the controversy, including the editing of the Trump speech and other editorial standards.