The BBC has said that a Newsnight introduction by Emily Maitlis which discussed the Dominic Cummings lockdown row "did not meet our standards of due impartiality".
Ms Maitlis opened the BBC show on Tuesday evening by saying Boris Johnson's chief adviser "broke the rules" by travelling to Durham during lockdown.
"The country can see that, and it's shocked the government cannot," she said.
Although some praised Ms Maitlis for the monologue, the BBC has now said that the introduction breached impartiality standards.
A statement from the broadcaster posted on Twitter said: “The BBC must uphold the highest standards of due impartiality in its news output.
“We’ve reviewed the entirety of last night’s Newsnight, including the opening section, and while we believe the programme contained fair, reasonable and rigorous journalism, we feel that we should have done more to make clear the introduction was a summary of the questions we would examine, with all the accompanying evidence, in the rest of the programme.
“As it was, we believe the introduction we broadcast did not meet our standards of due impartiality.
“Our staff have been reminded of the guidelines.”
Ms Maitlis had said on Tuesday night: "He was the man, remember, who always got the public mood who tagged the lazy label of elite on those who disagreed.
"He should understand that public mood one now - one of fury, contempt and anguish.
"He made those who struggled to keep to the rules feel like fools, and has allowed many more to assume they can now flout them."
Mr Cummings said he had driven to Durham to isolate in a property on his father's farm because of concerns over who would care for his four-year-old son if both he and his wife were incapacitated by Covid-19.
Downing Street has defended Mr Cummings' actions, insisting he "acted in line with guidelines".
But, after outlining her views and summarising the nation's mood, Ms Maitlis said: "The Prime Minister knows all this, but despite the resignation of one minister, growing unease from his backbenchers, a dramatic early warning from the polls, and a deep national disquiet, Boris Johnson has chosen to ignore it."
Ms Maitlis said Newsnight would discuss what this "blind loyalty" reveals about how Downing Street operates.
