Media365
Shumeet Banerji, an Indian-origin member of the BBC’s board, has resigned, citing “governance issues” at the top of the corporation. Banerji also said in a letter that he was “not consulted” about the events leading up to the resignations of Director General Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness.Banerji confirmed his resignation on Friday, the BBC said in a statement.The resignations of Davie and Turness earlier this month followed backlash over a Panorama episode that edited parts of US President Donald Trump’s 2021 speech, giving the impression that Trump had made a direct call for violent action during the Capitol riot on January 6 2021. In the programme, Trump appeared to say: “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol… and I’ll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell.” The BBC has apologised for the error but refused Trump’s demand for financial compensation.Banerji’s departure comes as the BBC board is due to give evidence to the Culture Media and Sport Committee of MPs on Monday. Questions are expected about claims, first raised in a leaked document, that the BBC has “systemic issues” in its coverage of topics such as the Israel-Gaza conflict and reporting on sex and gender.Banerji joined the BBC board as a non-executive director in 2022. He was tasked with “upholding and protecting the independence of the BBC by acting in the public interest and exercising independent judgement,” according to the corporation’s website. He is founder of an advisory and investment firm specialising in technology companies and previously led management consultancy Booz & Company.The BBC’s 12-member board sets the strategic direction for the corporation, largely funded by licence-fee payers, and holds executive management to account. It is chaired by Samir Shah.A BBC spokesperson said: “Shumeet Banerji today notified the BBC Board of his resignation. Mr Banerji’s term on the Board as a non-executive director was due to end at the end of December and we thank him for his service. The search for a replacement is already well under way and we will update further in due course.”
