Judge allows Trump's $10bn defamation case against BBC to proceed

A federal judge in Florida has granted permission for US President Donald Trump to proceed with his defamation lawsuit against the BBC, following an attempt by the broadcaster to have the case thrown out. However, Judge Jeffrey Kuntz did dismiss a separate element of the $10bn (£7.5bn) legal action that had been brought under the state's unfair trade practices legislation.

The lawsuit centres on an edition of Panorama that allegedly spliced together two distinct segments of a speech delivered by the US President prior to the 2021 riot at the US Capitol. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Donald Trump described the judicial decision as a "huge victory."

A spokesperson for the BBC stated: "We are surprised by this decision but respect the Court's authority and note the case will now proceed to the next stage." The representative further remarked: "We remain confident in our position and will continue to respond through the proper legal process."

Although Judge Kuntz determined that the defamation allegations presented by Donald Trump were substantial enough for the case to move forward, he offered no judgement on the ultimate merits of the dispute. In his order issued on Tuesday, he noted: "Whether President Trump can prove these claims and establish he sustained damages at summary judgment or trial is left for another day."

The legal action, which was initiated in Florida, claims the BBC engaged in "intentionally, maliciously and deceptively doctoring" remarks made outside the Capitol on 6 January 2021. Previously, the BBC issued an apology, acknowledging that the programme had created "the mistaken impression that Trump made a direct call for violent action".

In its attempt to have the matter dismissed, the broadcaster argued that the programme failed to satisfy the legal requirements for defamation and was not accessible within the US. Furthermore, Donald Trump had alleged a breach of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act within his filing.

On Tuesday, Judge Kuntz struck down that specific portion of the claim, concluding that the documentary did not qualify as commercial speech.