Paxman apologises for TV swearing

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Broadcaster Jeremy Paxman apologised during Newsnight on Monday night after he used a swearword in the programme.

The presenter read quotes from Andrew Rawnsley’s book, The End of the Party, which has controversially accused Prime Minister Gordon Brown of bullying.

Seconds after reading the passage, Paxman said his editor had told him to apologise for using the swear word.

A BBC spokesman said the offensive language was used after the watershed and Paxman "apologised immediately".

Established procedures

In a full statement, the BBC said: "During a post watershed interview with Andrew Rawnsley Jeremy read a direct quote from his book which contained an expletive.

"He apologised immediately to anyone that may have found it offensive."

During the live programme, Paxman said: "Apparently I’m told by our editor I have to apologise for quoting what you said the Prime Minister said, so honour satisfied now."

On Sunday, it was claimed that several people in Mr Brown’s office had contacted an anti-bullying charity.

The Prime Minister is "very upset" by the allegations, according to Schools Secretary Ed Balls.