The BBC “unreservedly” apologised last night for broadcasting a programme concerning allegations of sex abuse at a children’s home which led to a former Tory party treasurer being wrongly accused.

Former British Conservative Party treasurer Robert McAlpine of West Green said today that allegations linking him to child abuse were "wholly false and seriously defamatory".

British Prime Minister David Cameron has ordered an investigation into whether the North Wales child abuse inquiry "properly did its job" following allegations that a senior Conservative Party figure was involved.