Senior members of the government feel that the BBC failed to make clear to viewers that its reports from Baghdad were subject to Iraqi censorship.

Tony Blair: His official spokesman expressed concern about BBC reports

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, Defence Secretary George Robertson and the prime minister's official spokesman Alastair Campbell have all expressed their concern over a lack of "health warnings" on some the BBC reports.

But a spokesman for the BBC denied any pro-Iraq bias and said all bulletins had made it clear that reports from Baghdad were subject to local censorship.

He added that it had not received an official complaint from the government and nor had any viewer complained.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "There hasn't been a formal complaint and, if there was one, it wouldn't come from the prime minister in person.

"But there has been disquiet. Alastair Campbell and Robin Cook and George Robertson have had conversations with the BBC.

Jeremy Bowen: One of the BBC's correspondents who reported under Iraqi restrictions

"The fundamental point is the lack of a 'health warning' on some BBC reporting from Baghdad."

The Downing Street spokesman added: "We would prefer that these discussions had remained private."

The corporation's war reporting was also questioned by the last Conservative government over the 1986 American bombing raids on Libya.