The public trusts the BBC rather than ministers to tell the truth, a new poll has found.

As more details emerged about Number 10's row with the corporation, the ICM poll in today's Guardian found that only six per cent of voters trust the government more than the BBC.

The poll comes as a further blow to the credibility of the government.

Yesterday at the Hutton inquiry there was fresh evidence of the extent of Number 10's rifts with the BBC over its reporting of the Iraq dossier row.

Tom Kelly, the prime minister's official spokesman, wrote in an email on the day that Dr David Kelly was named as the suspected source: "This is now a game of chicken with the Beeb - the only way they will shift is if they see the screw tightening."

Today's poll also finds that 68 per cent believe the government treated Dr Kelly unfairly.

But despite the battering Labour has taken in the media over recent weeks, the party has seen its poll lead over the Conservatives rise by three points over the last month.

Labour secures the support of 37 per cent of the public, compared to 32 per cent for the Tories and 22 per cent for the Liberal Democrats.