The $10 billion defamation lawsuit brought against the BBC by US President Donald Trump has been set for trial in February 2027, a Florida judge has ordered.

The US president filed the lawsuit against the BBC in December, accusing the national broadcaster of defamation after the BBC’s Panorama doctored footage of one of his speeches.

The way the speech was edited made it appear he directed supporters to storm the US Capitol.

Florida District Judge Roy Altman denied the BBC’s application to stay the merits-based discovery phase, when both sides can obtain evidence from other parties in the lawsuit, documents show.

He has ordered that a two-week trial be set for February 15, 2027.

The order, made on February 11, states: “This matter is set for trial during the Court’s two-week trial calendar beginning February 15, 2027.

“Counsel for all parties shall also appear at a calendar call at 1:45 p.m. on February 9, 2027.

“Unless instructed otherwise by subsequent order, the trial and all other proceedings in this case shall be conducted in Courtroom 12-4 at the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. U.S. Courthouse, 400 N. Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128.”

The BBC previously filed a motion to dismiss, claiming the Florida court lacks “personal jurisdiction” over the corporation, the court venue is “improper” and that Mr Trump has “failed to state a claim”, according to court documents.

The corporation argued that it did not create, produce or broadcast the documentary in Florida and that Mr Trump’s claim that the documentary was available in the US on streaming service BritBox is not true.

A BBC spokesperson said: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case.

“We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”