BBC says sorry for reporting that Antony Gormley was giving up his British nationality over Brexit

The BBC has apologised to renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley for wrongly reporting that he was giving up his British nationality because of Brexit.

Last Saturday’s BBC1 10.30pm news bulletin said the artist was ‘giving up his British passport’ because of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, and that he had described the move as ‘embarrassing’.

But the corporation, which has faced claims of being biased against Brexit, has been forced to admit it got it wrong.

The BBC said: ‘Sir Antony Gormley is not giving up his British nationality and has asked us to make clear the circumstances behind his application for a German passport.

‘Sir Antony holds dual nationality as a result of having a German mother and has decided to apply for a German passport, which he will hold alongside his British one.

‘In a statement he says he remains a proud British citizen. We apologise for the mistake.’

As well as publishing an apology on its website, it is understood the corporation also privately said sorry to Sir Antony.

The 71-year-old artist, who won the Turner Prize in 1994, is known for his Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead which was completed in 1998. Claims that the BBC has lacked impartiality in the Brexit debate include criticism over its gloomy reporting of the referendum result and the amount of airtime it gives to ‘diehard’ Remainers.

The corporation has also faced regular criticism that it holds a ‘metropolitan mindset’ that is out of touch with large parts of the UK.

According to a report in The Observer last weekend, Sir Antony said: ‘I’m embarrassed about Brexit.

‘It’s a practical disaster, a betrayal of my parents’ and grandparents’ sacrifice to make a Europe that was not going to be divided again. It’s a tragedy.’