Downing Street has defended children's minister Margaret Hodge following reports that she wrote to BBC chiefs in a bid to halt a broadcast concerning her time as leader of Islington Council.

The latest intervention came after it was revealed that the minister attempted to stop the BBC continuing an investigation into the child abuse scandal involving workers in care homes that took place while she was in charge of the London council.

The Evening Standard revealed that Hodge had written to the BBC's chairman Gavyn Davies and director general Greg Dyke to accuse Radio 4's Today programme of "deplorable sensationalism" and "scant balance" in its reporting.

The paper also alleged that the minister described a victim of abuse who was part of the BBC's investigation as being "extremely disturbed".

She claimed his case had occured two decades before she took control of the council.

Hodge has been fighting a battle with the media since she was appointed by Tony Blair as the first-ever children's minister.

The row led to her first key initiative - announcing measures to tackle child abuse and reform council social service departments - being delayed by four months.

Number 10 repeated that the minister continued to have the support of the prime minister.

But officials admitted they had not been made aware of her decision to write to the two most powerful figures at the BBC.

"Margaret Hodge is a member of the government and clearly has our support," said Number 10.

"She's got an important job which she is getting on with it at the moment. In terms of the job, she has the prime minister's continued belief that she is the right person to do it."

The latest row drew a sharp response from the Conservatives who claimed Hodge was attempting to deflect attention.

"I am surprised that she has not learnt the lessons of the government's previous smear campaigns," said Tim Yeo, the party's shadow education secretary.

"The truth is this is little more than a desperate attempt to deflect attention way from a failing children's minister who should not be in her job. Margaret Hodge should stop attacking others and instead take a good look at the serious allegations she faces."