BBC to file motion to dismiss Trump defamation lawsuit over Panorama edit

The BBC volition instrumentality steps to person Donald Trump's suit implicit a January 6 Panorama edit thrown out, tribunal documents show.

The US president filed a defamation lawsuit implicit the broadcaster's editing of a code helium made successful 2021, connected the time his supporters stormed the Capitol building.

Clips were spliced unneurotic from sections of the US president's code to amusement him saying: "We're going to locomotion down to the Capitol... and I'll beryllium determination with you. And we fight. We combat similar hell."

It aired successful the near-hour-long documentary Trump: A Second Chance?, which was broadcast by the BBC the week earlier the US election.

The US president is seeking damages of $5bn (£3.7bn) nether a defamation lawsuit. He has besides sued for $5bn for alleged usurpation of a commercialized practices law. Both lawsuits were filed successful Florida.

A BBC spokesperson said successful a statement: "As we person made wide previously, we volition beryllium defending this case. We are not going to marque further remark connected ongoing ineligible proceedings."

Court documents amusement the broadcaster volition record a question to disregard the lawsuits, claiming the Florida tribunal lacks "personal jurisdiction" implicit the organisation, that the tribunal venue is "improper", and that Mr Trump has "failed to authorities a claim".

The corp volition reason that it did not create, nutrient oregon broadcast the documentary successful Florida and that Mr Trump's assertion the documentary was disposable successful the US connected streaming work BritBox is not true.

It volition besides assertion the president has failed to "plausibly allege" the broadcaster published the documentary with "actual malice".

The BBC has asked the tribunal to efficaciously halt parties from astir evidence-gathering, pending the determination connected the motion.

The broadcaster apologised to the US president successful November for an "error of judgement", but said it disagreed determination was "a ground for a defamation claim".

The fallout from the saga led to the resignation of some the BBC director-general Tim Davie and the caput of quality Deborah Turness.

If the lawsuit should continue, a 2027 proceedings day has been proposed.