Trump warned £7.5 billion defamation lawsuit against BBC could be thrown out over missing documents

Donald Trump has been warned by a US court that his $10 billion (£7.5 billion) defamation action against the BBC could be thrown out unless he provides documents requested by the broadcaster.

Magistrate Judge Enjolique Lett has ordered the US president to produce the relevant records by 23 November, voicing concerns over how his legal team collated the paperwork.

In the absence of a register identifying any material withheld under claims of privilege, she additionally directed Mr Trump to compile a list by 5 November.

The court order signed by the judge this week 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."

Mr Trump is seeking substantial damages in a Florida court over the editing of a Panorama documentary from 2024 concerning the US Capitol riots.

The BBC had previously accused the president of flouting rules by failing to disclose files as part of the case.

Given the legal schedule, lawyers for the corporation argued it would "experience extreme prejudice" if Mr Trump "continues to disregard his discovery obligations", and asked the court to intervene.

They highlighted that the ongoing delay related to documents "that are not in dispute" which Mr Trump had previously consented to disclose.

Mr Trump had previously sought to block the release of his financial records while attempting to alter his complaint and limit disclosure, though this appeared to be a separate issue as the production of those papers was contested.

In her court ruling, Judge Lett said: "After inquiry, plaintiff’s counsel assured the court that all documents responsive to the RFPs (request for production) about which there remains no dispute were produced.

"However, plaintiff’s counsel admitted that no privilege log identifying any documents that were withheld based on any asserted privilege has been produced.

"Given the nature of the requests, the paucity of the production, and the steps counsel undertook to ensure that all responsive documents were collected, the court has concerns about whether an adequate search for all responsive documentation occurred."

The directive comes after the same judge recently ruled that Mr Trump must give an interview under oath by 11 December, following complaints that he delayed his pre-trial deposition as the deadline to disclose evidence neared.

At a court hearing last week, a lawyer for the BBC, Charles Tobin, noted a date of 16 October had been agreed, but Mr Trump cancelled it citing a "matter of national importance".

Mr Tobin stated the president had actually been campaigning in Georgia ahead of November's mid-term elections.

Mr Trump is taking legal action over a Panorama episode broadcast shortly before the 2024 presidential election he won.

The documentary faced criticism for giving the impression Mr Trump had encouraged his supporters to storm the Capitol building on January 6 2021 after losing the 2020 White House race to Joe Biden.

The allegations led the then-BBC director-general Tim Davie to announce his resignation.

BBC chairman Samir Shah apologised on behalf of the broadcaster over an "error of judgment" and accepted the editing of the programme gave "the impression of a direct call for violent action".

However, the broadcaster is seeking to have the case dismissed, warning of the "chilling effect" it would have on "robust reporting on public figures and events".

It has also challenged the jurisdiction of a Florida court to hear the case given the programme was never aired in the state or the US.