Boris Johnson trying to undermine BBC leadership, insiders fear after leak

Boris Johnson told the Telegraph that Tim Davie ‘must either explain or resign’ over the claims in the memo. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock

Boris Johnson and figures linked to him are engaging in an effort to undermine the BBC’s leadership, insiders fear, after the leaking of a memo criticising its reporting of Donald Trump, trans rights and Gaza.

Tim Davie, the BBC’s director general, and other senior editorial staff are under pressure after the criticisms made in the document by Michael Prescott, a former independent external adviser to its editorial guidelines and standards committee (EGSC).