Donald Trump’s lawyers will try to force the head of BBC News to testify as part of the US president’s $10bn (£7.5bn) defamation lawsuit against the broadcaster.
Jonathan Munro, the interim chief executive of BBC News and Current Affairs, will be deposed about claims the programme defamed the US president by misleadingly editing together sections of a speech the US president made before the Jan 6 riots.
If Mr Munro does not cooperate voluntarily, Mr Trump’s lawyers could instead ask the US court to issue a formal request from the High Court in London, The Telegraph understands.
Tim Davie, the former director general who resigned over the scandal, is also expected to be asked to testify.
A source close to the case told The Telegraph that Mr Trump’s legal team was prepared to travel to London to depose Mr Munro and Mr Davie. It is understood that a formal request has not yet been sent to Mr Munro.
In February, the broadcaster’s lawyers failed in their attempts to have the case thrown out of court in Florida.
As a senior executive at the corporation, Mr Munro could be questioned about the BBC’s editorial decisions, the broadcaster’s internal handling of the case and any internal communications.
If the High Court approved the request, Mr Munro would generally be forced to comply. In some cases, refusal to adhere to such a request can result in a fine or even imprisonment.
The case is being heard in the Southern District of Florida. On July 21, a federal magistrate judge ruled that the president must hand over detailed financial information relating to his brands, properties and businesses to prove his case for damages.
However, the judge will not allow the broadcaster’s lawyers to make choices about which specific records are turned over for the case.
Mr Trump’s lawyers had previously resisted requests for him to turn over his financial documents, claiming they amounted to a “fishing expedition” by the BBC.
The BBC apologised for the Panorama documentary and removed it from all platforms, but has denied any claim of defamation and has promised to fight Mr Trump’s lawsuit.
A trial date has been set for February 2027 in Florida.
