GETTY The BBC has been accused of discrimination by offering an internship to non-white applicants only

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The 12-month posting, which pays £10.20 an hour, is open only to those “from a black, Asian or non-white ethnic minority background”. The internship is billed as offering the successful applicant an “an exceptional and unique opportunity to train as a broadcast journalist”. Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen has branded the advertisement discriminatory, arguing "those most in need of a leg up" are young white males from disadvantaged backgrounds. But the taxpayer-funded BBC says the position is simply a “training and development opportunity”, and has been organised by an independent organisation aimed specifically at increasing diversity in creative industries.

CREATIVE ACCESS The advert says applicants must be from from a black, Asian or non-white ethnic minority background

It's disappointing because all the figures now indicate that those most in need of a leg up and most struggling in our education system are white boys from deprived backgrounds Andrew Bridgen MP

And the public service broadcaster says the traineeship is in line with equality laws. Mr Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, told MailOnline: “It's disappointing because all the figures now indicate that those most in need of a leg up and most struggling in our education system are white boys from deprived backgrounds. “It's positive discrimination – and I thought that discrimination on the grounds of race, sexuality, or gender was illegal.” The internship has been advertised by agency Creative Access on its website.

GETTY The BBC has come under fire in the past for positive discrimination

The position, which is based in London, is advertised as providing all the experience needed for the successful applicant up to “hit the ground running” in a career in journalism. The candidate will be given on-the-job training on how to see stories through, from idea to the finished product, as well as the chance to assist in various roles within the corporation’s modern, busy newsroom. Applicants are required to have already obtained a recognised journalism qualification, as well as work experience in newspapers or radio. A strong command of the English language and a good broadcasting voice are also listed as necessary skills.

CREATIVE ACCESS The trainee position offers applicants the chance to work on the prestigious World at One show