The Board of Deputies has explained why it did not to sign a letter with the Jewish Leadership Council which questioned the BBC’s decision to invite George Galloway onto its Question Time programme.

The anti-Israel Respect MP was asked to join the panel of the current affairs discussion show next week when it is due to be recorded in Finchley, north London, part of the constituency with the highest proportion of Jewish voters in the country.

Simon Johnson, chief executive of the JLC, wrote to the BBC challenging the decision, and asking whether Danny Cohen, the director of televsion at the corporation, thought it was a "responsible" move.

Gillian Merron, chief executive of the Board, agreed that the BBC had questions to answer over what she called "this inflammatory and cynical decision".

But she added: “However, while some may feel it is expedient to shy away from difficult debates with hostile individuals, we look forward to the people of Finchley and Golders Green having the opportunity to call George Galloway to account for his scandalous record of provocation and division.”

Question Time is a BBC Scotland programme made by the Mentorn Scotland production company.