RDF apologises for Queen doc editing

RDF Media, the production company behind the BBC's Queen documentary, has apologised for "unreservedly" to the broadcaster for what it calls a "serious error of judgement."

In an email to BBC director general Mark Thompson, RDF chief executive David Frank apologised for the error saying: "I deeply regret the embarrassment this has led to for both the BBC and the Queen and wanted to apologise to you unreservedly."

Frank said: "While there was clearly no attempt to include anything misleading in the documentary series to be broadcast by the BBC, I nonetheless condemn what was done by RDF employees in manipulating the chronology of any footage regardless of its objective, use or context."

"It has been an extremely painful lesson for those involved. I am taking steps to put in place measures which I hope will ensure nothing of this sort happens again."

The documentary, A Year with the Queen, was at the centre of a controversy last week, as footage, which was shown to journalists, was falsely edited to show the Queen walking out of a photoshoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Thompson is to discuss the matter with the BBC Trust on Wednesday.