BBC stands by invitation to Griffin

After an emergency meeting, a three-strong panel said it was "a question of editorial judgment" whether it was appropriate for the BNP to be represented on the flagship show.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, whose complaint was among those considered, accused the BBC of being "apologists" for the BNP and making "one of the biggest mistakes in its proud history".

The decision to have Mr Griffin on Question Time was based on the party's success in June's European elections, at which it won more than 940,000 votes and two seats, the BBC said.

Mr Hain urged the Trust to intervene after failing to persuade BBC Director General Mark Thompson that the BNP appearance could be illegal because of its whites-only membership policy.

A special committee, chaired by former Newsnight editor Richard Tait, was set up to consider the Cabinet minister's appeal and another from a member of the public. In its ruling, it said: "We have concluded that the decision as to whether it is appropriate in all the circumstances for the BBC to allow the BNP to participate on Question Time is a question of editorial judgment, which the charter and framework agreement reserve for the Director-General."

It said other concerns raised centred on the potential content of the show.

"In circumstances where the programme is pre-recorded and edited before transmission it is premature and hypothetical to rule on these criticisms in advance of broadcast," it said. "We have written to the Director-General asking him to engage personally to ensure that the broadcast programme complies with the general law, the BBC's editorial guidelines and all other regulatory requirements. The committee is aware of the debate and public controversy on this issue and that this is a matter of considerable importance to many licence fee payers. Given the Trust may be asked in future to determine appeals arising out of the broadcast of this edition of Question Time it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment."

Mr Hain said the BBC was ignoring its duty to promote diversity and tolerance.

"I am very sad that the BBC I grew up with and held in such high regard has made one of the biggest mistakes in its proud history," he said. "Nick Griffin has today confirmed that I was right: he feels that the BBC have given him an early Christmas present. This gift of credibility will last him a political lifetime."