Tessa Jowell has denied claims that the government is planning to settle scores with the BBC by scrapping its board of governors.

The intervention came as relations between Labour and the BBC soured yet further following an attack on government ministers.

Gavyn Davies claimed that ministers were attempting to strip the corporation of its status because they have failed to "to bring the BBC to heel".

"Our integrity is under attack, and we are chastised for taking a different view on editorial matters from that of the government and its supporters," the BBC chairman said.

But the culture secretary denied any suggestion that the row over Andrew Gilligan's notorious weapons report would affect the BBC's future.

"Once again, the government repeats: There is no question whatsoever of the dispute with the BBC over Mr Gilligan's claim affecting in any shape or form the BBC's licence fee or its charter," she said.

Meanwhile, today's Independent reports that the BBC will ask Sir Richard Dearlove, the head of MI6, to give evidence to the Hutton inquiry into the row.