BBC chairman Samir Shah apologised today for an “error of judgement” in the editing of a speech by US President Donald Trump for Panorama, following the resignation of two of the corporation’s most senior figures.

Director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness announced their departure from the public broadcaster following criticism that the speech had been selectively edited.

The changes were revealed in a memo by Michael Prescott, a former external adviser to the BBC editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC).

In it, he raised concerns about how clips of Mr Trump’s speech on January 6 2021 had been spliced together to make it appear that he had told supporters he was going to walk to the US Capitol with them to “fight like hell.”

Responding to a letter from the Commons culture, media and sport committee, Mr Shah said there had been more than 500 complaints since the publication of the memo, adding: “We accept that the way the speech was edited did give the impression of a direct call for violent action.”

He insisted that it was “simply not true” that Mr Prescott “uncovered” issues that the BBC had sought to “bury,” adding: “The issues raised by Mr Prescott are precisely the issues that have been considered by the EGSC and the board.”

Today, Downing Street rejected claims by Mr Trump and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage that the BBC was corrupt or institutionally biased.

But the Prime Minister’s official spokesman would not say whether the future of the BBC licence fee was on the table as part of a wider review of the broadcaster’s charter.

The corporation has confirmed receipt of a letter from the US president threatening legal action.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr Davie, who had led the BBC for five years, said: “There have been some mistakes made and as director-general I have to take ultimate responsibility.”

Mr Trump welcomed the resignations, which were annouced on on Sunday following days of pressure on the broadcaster over the matter.

It is understood that there was no contact between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump, nor their officials, over the weekend following the US president’s criticism.