After US President Donald Trump revealed yesterday (Monday, 10 November) that he plans to sue the BBC $1bn (£760m) for its flagship documentary programme, Panorama, using a "misleading edit" of a Trump speech in 2024, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Sir Ed Davey has openly shared his opposition to President Trump's threats.

Writing for The Guardian, the Liberal Democrat leader said: "This disturbing escalation in the assault on the BBC should be incredibly alarming to anyone who cares about truth, accountability and democracy. Trump and his mates are trying to destroy one of our most precious British institutions, and we must act fast to stop them.

"Of course, the BBC is not perfect. How could it be? I've had my share of disagreements and frustrations with it in recent years – not least when it comes to the amount of airtime it gives Farage, without properly scrutinising his record on immigration, the economy or the rest of the damage he's done to our country.

"And the Panorama documentary at the centre of the latest controversy clearly got it wrong. As the BBC has now admitted, the way Trump's speech was edited was an error of judgment and it's right the BBC has apologised.

"But come on. Trump complaining about words being taken out of context? Worried that people might be misled? Give me a break. Trump has crippled America's public broadcasters with funding cuts, banned journalists from the Pentagon, and brought a $10bn lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal.

"Let's be clear – Trump and his friends are not brave crusaders fighting for journalistic integrity and factual reporting. They are seizing on a single mistake by one BBC programme as an excuse to undermine the whole organisation. We simply cannot let that happen."

Ed Davey MP has also been very vocal about his opposition on X (formerly Twitter) sharing several posts on Monday about the matter.

In one post, he said: The BBC isn't perfect, but it belongs to Britain not Trump. Political leaders across the UK must unite in defending its independence from the White House."

In another, he added: "Trump wants to destroy the BBC and take our money. And Nigel Farage is egging him on. All true patriots should tell them both: hands off our BBC."

The MP has also written a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Kemi Badenoch, and Nigel Farage urging them to condemn Donald Trump's attack on the BBC.

In the letter, he writes: "Dear Prime Minister,

"President Trump's Assault on the BBC is a serious threat to our national interest, and I urge you to join me in standing up against it.

"The BBC belongs to everyone in the United Kingdom. We should be incredibly proud that the UK is home to the world's number one source of trusted news - something that strengthens our democracy while also enhancing our power to uphold our values around the globe.

"As a public service broadcaster, the BBC has an important, distinctive and vibrant role to play in the UK's cultural media landscape - helping to boost growth and create jobs. We cannot afford to let it be destroyed by Donald Trump and his allies.

"It should be extremely concerning for us all to see the president of the United States pressuring the BBC over its leadership and attacking its journalists as "corrupt" and his Press Secretary telling everyone to watch "GB news". It should not be up to foreign powers to dictate where the British people get their news from. We must stand united to defend democracy from foreign interference like this - even when it comes from a crucial ally.

"The BBC's strength lies in its independence and impartiality. That has been ordered, and it is essential that, together we urgently work to ensure that it is properly independent and strong enough to stand up to political pressure, whether foreign or domestic. The BBC must stay true to its legal mission - to inform, educate and entertain - and not be bullied into giving undue prominence to the loudest, most divisive voices.

"We have watched with alarm as trump and his allies have undermined the Free Press in the United States, and all the damage he has done to American democracy. We cannot let it happen here.

"Will you join me in condemning Donald trump's attack on the BBC? As political leaders, we have a responsibility to protect one of our nation's most treasured institutions from becoming subservient to Donald Trump and his cronies, especially when their values are so far removed from the values of the British people.

"The BBC belongs to Britain, not trump. We must defend it together."

Speaking about the matter, Ed Davey MP told Nub News: "It's easy to see why Donald Trump and his cronies like Nigel Farage have the BBC in their sights. It's the world's number one source of trusted news.

"The BBC belongs to all of us, and despite its faults it helps to empower people with facts and hold liars to account.

"We cannot let Trump destroy the BBC and take our money. All true patriots should tell Trump and Farage: jog on."

Ed Davey MP also shared his opposition to President Trump back in 2024 when Trump was re-elected as the US President.