Equality boss apologises for joke

Trevor Phillips has written to the London college to apologise

The chairman of the equality watchdog has apologised for making a "tasteless" joke about the Queen Mother during an after-dinner speech.

Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), told the anecdote at a private Imperial College London dinner.

The CEHR said Mr Phillips "unreservedly apologises" for remarks which "were not meant to cause offence to anyone".

Mr Phillips had written to Imperial College to apologise, it added.

The spokesman said the anecdote had been part of a speech at a private event.