Blair welcomes BBC apology

The BBC has apologised "unreservedly" for its Iraq weapons story.

The apology from acting chairman Lord Ryder came shortly after the resignation of director general Greg Dyke.

It also followed demands from Downing Street for the BBC to say sorry for broadcasting a "false allegation" in Andrew Gilligan's report.

Tony Blair welcomed the BBC's apology and said: "This for me has always been a very simple matter of an accusation that was a very serious one that was made. It has now been withdrawn, that is all I ever wanted."

The British prime minister said: "I want to make it absolutely clear I fully respect the independence of the BBC. I have no doubt that the BBC will continue as it should do to probe and question the government in every proper way.

What this does now is allow us to draw a line and move on."