US COURT ORDERS TRUMP TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS IN BBC CASE

A US court has warned Donald Trump that it could dismiss his defamation case against the BBC if he fails to provide requested documents. Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett ordered Trump to produce the records by 23 November. Trump is seeking $10 billion (£7.5 billion) in damages. The court order stated: “Failure to comply with this order may result in sanctions, including but not limited to, dismissal of this action for failure to prosecute this case.”

Trump brought the case in a Florida court over the editing of a 2024 Panorama documentary concerning the US Capitol riots. The BBC accused him of failing to disclose files required in the case. Its lawyers told the court that continued delay would cause the broadcaster “extreme prejudice” under the legal timetable. They said the outstanding request covered documents Trump had already agreed to provide. The BBC asked the court to intervene.

Lett also ordered Trump to provide, by 5 November, a register of any documents withheld on grounds of legal privilege. Trump’s lawyers told the court they had produced all documents covered by requests that remained undisputed, according to Lett’s ruling. They acknowledged that they had supplied no register of documents withheld on privilege grounds. Lett said the limited production and the lawyers’ collection process raised concerns about whether they had searched adequately. Trump had separately sought to block the release of financial records while trying to amend his complaint and limit disclosure; the request for those records remained contested.