The British Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, has admitted he made a mistake in attacking a TV documentary uncovering racism in the police - but blamed the BBC.
Mr Blunkett initially criticised The Secret Policemanas a "stunt" and accused its makers of creating, not reporting, news. However, six officers have resigned since the programme was shown earlier this week.
Mr Blunkett said the BBC should have shared its findings with him ahead of the broadcast as it did with newspapers.
"I am open about this. It was a mistake on my part to actually use the term 'stunt'," he told BBC Radio 4's World at Oneprogramme.
"It was a mistake entirely brought about by the fact that regrettably the producers of the programme wouldn't let us have sight of the material or the video or the detail of what they had found even though they were prepared to brief the Scotsmanand the Mail on Sunday.
"So I am to blame in that sense but I think if you might forgive me for saying so, the BBC needs to examine its conscience as well."
Mr Blunkett had criticised the undercover reporting used to catch officers voicing racists views during their training.
However, today he said: "I think that the revelations themselves justify the way in which - and I wouldn't justify this in any circumstances - this came to light. I wish they [the BBC] had been open and honest with us but the real task is to root out racism in the force."
PA