A senior backbench Labour MP has demanded an inquiry into BBC bias:

“This past year has in my view seen for the first time in BBC history a campaign waged by the corporation against the Government and its policies,” he said.

“I feel that the extent of the bias in BBC current affairs coverage of the major policy areas, not just on Iraq, but in health, education and public services generally, merits a full and independent public inquiry.”

And in an ironic twist of fate, the BBC has been selected to replace Saddam’s broadcast propaganda machine:

The BBC has been awarded the first contract to help get Iraq?s television and radio stations back on air.

It will set up a media headquarters in Basra to train Iraq?s new generation of journalists.

Last week?s award by the UK?s Department of International Trade & Development is part of the plans by the CPA, the US-led administration in Iraq, to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis, seen as a crucial part of the reconstruction effort.

It will overhaul the Iraqi Media Network (IMN), which Saddam used as a propaganda mouthpiece, and turn it into a “world class radio and television broadcasting and newspaper publishing organisation”.