The BBC said Question Time has a 'lively debate'

The BBC has offered to apologise to the Muslim Council of Britain after airing claims the organisation encouraged the killing of British troops.

The comments were made by the former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore on Question Time on 12 March.

Mr Moore spoke about the Islamic protests which disrupted a UK soldiers' homecoming parade in March.

No final settlement has been reached but the BBC has accepted that the comments were unfair.

Mr Moore said the Muslim Council of Britain had been reluctant to condemn the killing and kidnapping of Britain soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and claimed the organisation thought such activities were "a good thing".

The Muslim Council of Britain strongly criticised the remarks and demanded an apology.

In a statement, the BBC said Question Time always had a lively and wide-ranging debate and this was one of its strengths.

It went on: "On occasion, this results in unfairness to individuals who aren't there to put their view and this is one of those occasions."