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The producer of a film about medics in Gaza that was dropped by the BBC has accused the corporation of trying to gag him and others over its decision not to show the documentary.

Gaza: Doctors under Attack, which was finally broadcast on Channel 4 on Wednesday night, recounts how hospitals in the territory have been overwhelmed, bombed and raided. Medics recount being detained and claim to have been tortured. It had originally been due to run on the BBC.

Ben de Pear, the programme’s executive producer and a former Channel 4 News editor, accused the BBC of attempting to stop him talking about its “painful journey” to the screen with the use of legal gagging clauses.

“I rejected and refused to sign the double gagging clause the BBC bosses tried multiple times to get me to sign,” he said in a post on LinkedIn. “Not only could we have been sued for saying the BBC refused to air the film (palpably and provably true) but also if any other company had said it, the BBC could sue us.

“Not only could we not tell the truth that was already stated, but neither could others. Reader, I didn’t sign it.”

Instead, he said, he spoke out, criticising the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, at a conference in Sheffield over the decision to pull the film. “All the decisions about our film were not taken by journalists, they were taken by Tim Davie,” he said at the time. “He is just a PR person. Tim Davie is taking editorial decisions which, frankly, he is not capable of making.

“The BBC’s primary purpose is TV news and current affairs, and if it’s failing on that it doesn’t matter what drama it makes or sports it covers. It is failing as an institution. And if it’s failing on that then it needs new management.”

The BBC did not comment on the accusations. An insider said Basement Films, De Pear’s production company, had only been asked to sign a standard clause obliging producers to have the corporation’s permission before engaging in publicity around one of its shows. It is understood this is disputed by Basement Films.

BBC sources suggested the broadcaster had been attempting to find ways to use the documentary material in news coverage, but a final decision was made to drop the film entirely after De Pear’s public comments in Sheffield. This timeline is also disputed. Once the BBC handed control back to Basement Films, a BBC source said it ceased to be the broadcaster’s film.

They also argued it was untrue the BBC had tried to gag De Pear from speaking about the film, pointing to public statements he made about it. They also pointed to the BBC’s public statement, made last month, clearly stating it had dropped the project.

De Pear’s comments follow the publication of a letter signed anonymously by more than 100 BBC staff criticising the decision to drop the film. The letter also questioned the role of Robbie Gibb, Theresa May’s former spin doctor and a member of the BBC’s board and editorial standards committee.

Gibb led the consortium that bought the Jewish Chronicle in 2020 and, up until August 2024, was a director of Jewish Chronicle Media. The BBC has said he had no “formal role” over the decisions made in relation to the Gaza film.

Before dropping the medics documentary entirely, the BBC said it had delayed its broadcast until a report into the making of another documentary, Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone, had been completed.

That programme was pulled from iPlayer earlier this year after it emerged that its 13-year-old narrator was the son of a Hamas official. The review into its production continues.

King Charles and Prince William’s heartwarming tribute to their heroes, who are protecting the UK and promoting peace overseas, left Prince Harry in tears.

The Duke of Sussex was overwhelmed with emotions after the King and the future monarch used their social media accounts to mark the Armed Forces Day, which is celebrated on the last Saturday in June in the UK.

It’s a day to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, including currently serving personnel, veterans, families, and cadets.

To mark the day, the monarch said “he salutes all members of the military.”

A source close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, claimed: “King Charles and William’s tribute brought tears to Harry’s eyes, as he too had served in the British Military and even taken part in operations in Afghanistan.”

“The Duke of Sussex served in the British Army for ten years, from 2003 to 2014. He achieved the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps. The royal was also deployed to Afghanistan twice,” they added.

The King’s statement, shared on the official Instagram account of the royal family, read: “Thank you for your tireless service, protecting the UK and promoting peace overseas. We are hugely grateful for your efforts, often in the face of danger, and those of your loved ones, providing support at home.”

Similarly, the eldest son of King Charles, William also marked the day by sharing his picture taken during a visits in military uniform, stating: “Proud to mark Armed Forces Day. Thank you to everyone serving in the British Armed Forces, and to all veterans, for your courage, dedication and sacrifice.”

It is worth mentioning here that King Charles’ youngest son received several awards and honours for his service, including the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan. Harry’s dedication to his country and his charitable work, especially with veterans, continue to be notable aspects of his public life.