A BBC traineeship is not accepting applications from posh white people, sparking claims the national broadcaster may have broken employment law.

The role, which pays £20,000, would see the successful applicant placed at one of the UK's biggest radio stations, BBC Radio 1, for a year in their London office.

But the opportunity, which will only take black, Asian, mixed ethnicity, or lower socio-economic applicants, could be recruiting illegally if it is classed as a job, rather than a 'development opportunity'.

The BBC are advertising a traineeship for Radio 1 and 1Xtra Newsbeat only open to candidates from a BAME or lower socio-economic background

The role allows young journalists to work at Radio 1 and 1Xtra as part of the Newsbeat team

Philip Landau, employment lawyer at specialist employment law firm Landau Law, said: 'The Equality Act does allow organisations to take “positive action” to encourage under-represented groups to apply for jobs or to participate in other opportunities.

'The steps can include measures to encourage or train people from an under-represented group to apply for jobs.

'Positive action of this kind is only allowed if an employer can demonstrate that it is limiting applications to overcome the disadvantage suffered by minority groups, and the steps taken to do this are “proportionate”.

'However, a strict policy which treats persons of a disadvantage group more favourably than others and regardless of merit is not something which is allowed under the Act.

Lawyer Philip Landau says: 'No group should be excluded altogether, whatever their ethnic make-up, background or nationality'

'No group should be excluded altogether, whatever their ethnic make-up, background or nationality.

'As this advertisement is effectively a blanket ban on white applicants, that is more akin to positive discrimination, which under the Equality Act is unlawful.

'The BBC has previously suggested that these roles are more “training opportunities” rather than “jobs”, however it is still likely that the applicant will be treated as an employee or worker, and of course, they are remunerated for their work, which differentiates from some internships.'

The BBC's advert said it offers the 'ideal environment for providing gradual multi-media training that is so rewarding to experience early in a journalism career'.

The position could also ensure the successful candidate is in 'prime position' for 'future Newsbeat and BBC News opportunities'.

'It is a genuinely unique opportunity for a budding journalist with their finger on the pulse of contemporary culture.'

A BBC spokesperson said: 'This is a training programme - not a job.

'It is a scheme for organisations who want to address under-representation in their business in a lawful way and, like many other media organisations, we're proud to be taking part.'

Mr Landau said: 'A traineeship is still a job, although trainees will often be on a fixed term contact which will have a specified end date, unlike a full or part-time employee.

'They may or may not be taken on permanently after the period of training has been completed.'