This afternoon the broadcasting behemoth said it had issued a private apology to Mr Farage directly, and published one on its website.

The Daily Mail has now been shown sight of a damning letter to the BBC from Mr Farage's lawyer, accusing the BBC host of 'racialising' the Reform leader's response.

This afternoon the broadcasting behemoth said it had issued a private apology to Mr Farage directly, and published one on its website.