BBC says sorry to Blair

Humbled and humiliated as never before, the BBC bowed to pressure from Prime Minister Tony Blair and unconditionally apologised for alleging in a May radio broadcast that Downing Street had "sexed up" intelligence on the threat from Iraq.

Dyke, director general and editor in chief, became the second BBC official to fall on his sword, following Gavyn Davies who stepped down as chairman just hours after judge Lord Hutton reported his findings about the events, triggered by the May broadcast, which led to the suicide in July of arms expert David Kelly.

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The 11 remaining governors of the world's biggest and best known public broadcaster said the BBC was "unreservedly apologising" for the broadcast.

Dyke, however, later appeared surprised at the apology.

"I could not quite work out what they had apologised for," Dyke told reporters, adding: "I don't necessarily accept the findings of Lord Hutton."

Dyke did not elaborate but, amid accusations from some commentators that Hutton's report was a "whitewash" of the government, suggested he may shortly voice criticisms of the judge's conclusions.