The BBC, determined to fight in court against Donald Trump if the US leader files a lawsuit against the British television station
The public broadcaster BBC in Great Britain is “determined to fight” against any legal action filed by the US president, Donald Trump, as there is no basis for a libel suit in connection with the editing of one of his speeches, the president of the audiovisual company, Samir Shah, assured the employees on Monday.
The BBC apologized to Donald Trump. PHOTO: Facebook
Donald Trump said on Friday that he is likely to sue the BBC this week for $5 billion after the broadcaster edited separate excerpts from one of his speeches, creating the impression that he incited riots on January 6, 2021, the News writes.
BBC chairman Samir Shah sent a personal letter to Trump to apologize for the edit, the BBC said on Thursday, but the broadcaster said it did not agree there was a basis for a defamation lawsuit.
Trump said Friday that he would file a lawsuit for between $1 billion and $5 billion. “I think I have to do this, I mean they even admitted that they cheated”he said.
Shah said in an email to BBC staff on Monday that there was much speculation about the possibility of legal action, including potential damages or a settlement.
“In all of this we are of course acutely aware of the privilege of our funding and the need to protect the license fee taxpayers, the British public,” he said in the email.
“I want to be very clear with you – our position has not changed. There is no basis for a defamation suit and we are determined to fight this action,” Shah relayed.
