When in a hole, stop digging. It’s a lesson the BBC has failed to heed many times, most notably with the Huw Edwards affair but also with Jimmy Savile, Martin Bashir and numerous others down the years.

For a media organisation, one that should be well-versed in fast decision-making and communicating, the corporation is appallingly lacking. It’s as if something sclerotic takes hold when something untoward occurs. The result is that the aftermath is often worse than what preceded it and the feeling persists of a body that has to be dragged kicking and screaming when found to be at fault.

Polarised public 31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views 19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views 19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all Source: YouGov

The latest calumny concerns Donald Trump. You would think they would know that just about the worst person to inflame is the American President. Poke him and he is riled. The only way to deal with him is to flatter and ingratiate, and if you’re found to be at fault, to instantly and fulsomely apologise. Gorging on humble pie is the only language he understands.

Yes, the BBC chief executive, Tim Davie and head of news, Deborah Turness, have quit. But that is not enough. It was never going to be enough. Trump seeks complete capitulation. Resignations plus grovelling ought to do it, anything less will not suffice.

So, the statement from the chairman, Samir Shah, that the deliberate splicing of Trump’s Capitol Hill rally address to make it seem he told his supporters to go to the bastion of US democracy and "fight, fight, fight" which of course they did, when he said