BBC sorry over Band Aid claims

The BBC was yesterday to broadcast an apology for allegations it made eight months ago that millions of pounds of Band Aid and Live Aid money was diverted into arms sales.

The money had been raised during the Ethiopian famine of 1984/85.

The BBC was to admit the claim was "misleading and unfair" and "should not have been broadcast".

It will also admit to "breaches of editorial standards" and apologise to Sir Bob Geldof, founder of Live Aid, "for implying that he had declined to be interviewed because he thought the subject too sensitive to be discussed openly".

The BBC's independent editorial complaints unit has upheld a complaint by the trustees of Band Aid that the original programme, Assignment, made by Martin Plaut was unfair.

There was "no evidence" for its claims Band Aid money was used to buy weapons.