The BBC's row with the government will not affect the renewal of its charter, the broadcasting minister has pledged.

In an interview with ePolitix.com, Lord McIntosh rejected media claims that ministers would use the charter negotiations as a way of getting revenge for the Iraq dossier row.

"Somebody said it was going to influence our view of the BBC charter. That's quite untrue," he said.

"We would never allow anything of that sort to influence us doing in the longer term the thing which is right as far as the charter and the BBC are concerned."

He refused to predict the outcome of the charter review, which has to be ready for January 2006, but reaffirmed the government's commitment to the BBC.

"All I'd say is that I think it's generally recognised that the system that we have with the BBC being the single most important broadcaster in the country and public service obligations on others like ITV and Channel 4 produces the best variety in the world," he said.

He also dismissed criticism from some media experts and MPs that the corporation should limit its spending on initiatives such as News 24.

"The BBC doesn't have to make money on everything it does. That's why it's the BBC and not a commercial channel. It has the possibility of cross-subsidising. It has the responsibility of ensuring it meets minority tastes as well as majority tastes," he said.

The minister also rejected claims that the fall in audience numbers resulting from increased choice will lead to lowest common denominator TV.

"We're not going to allow it to. The only way in which it would become the lowest common denominator is if we abandoned all quality, diversity and regional programming. We're not going to do that," he said.

The minister, who played a central role in the Communications Bill, also revealed that the government might back digital community radio and TV stations.

"It does cost money although sometimes less than you think. We're giving encouragement to them and we're very keen on both local communities and minority groups having access to the increased spectrum available," he said.

"There are all sorts of people inside and outside government who are willing to put up money for access radio and television."

Lord McIntosh reaffirmed the government's commitment to digital broadcasting arguing there is demand among the public.

"Well, 41 per cent of households already have digital. That's way ahead of comparable countries," he said.

"To reject it, and as far I know no countries are rejecting it, would be like saying 'we've got radio why do we need television'.

"It goes against the grain of modern society to have improvements available and then not to make use of them."