BBC in new Hutton row

The BBC was embroiled in a new row today over an "inappropriate" satirical radio comedy which targeted the Hutton report.

Corporation chiefs were poised to postpone broadcasting the first in the latest series of Absolute Power, which first hit the airwaves in 2000. The comedy, which features Stephen Fry and John Bird as spin doctors, parodies New Labour ruthlessly.

Writer Mark Tavener was furious when he was told that the new series would not begin on Thursday, as planned, because of the furore surrounding the Hutton report.

He said he was told the show was being cancelled because it might "upset No10". "I was told it had been pulled because you can't call Tony Blair a liar in the current climate," said Tavener. "This is nonsense. I'm making a much wider point about the culture of spin. This is a fictional comedy - and a very balanced one. It's equally rude, if not ruder, about the BBC. They are chickening out because they are worried about upsetting the Government."

The original decision followed the blood-letting at the BBC, which was harshly criticised by Lord Hutton over claims that the Government had "sexed up" its dossier on the threat posed by Iraqi weapons.

By contrast, Lord Hutton cleared ministers of any wrongdoing in the run-up to the death of scientist David Kelly.

Amid confusing scenes at the BBC, a spokesman today said the programme would now be broadcast on Thursday after all. He said there was talk of rescheduling, but: "They have gone back to the original plan."