BBC director-general Tony Hall has responded to Culture Secretary Maria Miller’s concerns about “sexist” comments made by presenter John Inverdale, saying he found them “totally unacceptable”.
Mr Hall said such an incident “must never happen again” and assured her the BBC had a “proud record” of supporting women’s sport.
It followed a robust letter he received from Mrs Miller in which she attacked sexist sports coverage.
More than 600 people complained about the sports broadcaster when he said Wimbledon winner Marion Bartoli was “never going to be a looker”, ahead of the women’s singles final.
In his response, Mr Hall said: “I agree that the comments made by John during the build-up to the women’s final were totally unacceptable and fell well beneath the standards we expect of our presenters.
“John sincerely regrets that he made such an inappropriate statement and for the offence caused. As he said on-air the following day, he has written to Marion Bartoli to apologise and the BBC has also apologised for John’s remarks.
“In addition, the director of sport and the controller of Five Live have both spoken to John to make it clear that his comments were unacceptable and that an incident of this nature must never happen again.”