The BBC's complaints department wrote back to Labour Friends of Poland this weekend to defend its decision to air an edition of BBC TV motoring show "Top Gear" in which anchor Jeremy Clarkson appeared to make light of Germany's World War II invasion of Poland.

The programme was criticised by the Polish embassy as well as Polish community groups in the UK. The BBC wrote back:

"Thank you for your e-mail regarding 'Top Gear' broadcast on 2 August.

"Your concerns were made available to the Executive Producer of the show, Andy Wilman who issued the following statement.

"With regard to your complaint about the 'Berlin to Warsaw' in one tank  VW Scirocco advert, the strapline did indeed play on the historical event of Germany invading Poland, but there was absolutely nothing in the piece which was meant to relate to the reality of Polish experiences during World War 2. Indeed the focus of this 'advert' was aimed entirely the other way.  The car we were featuring is German and it is the Germans who are doing the invading: the advert is, when you boil it down, another in a long line of German war jokes. They may be end-of-the-pier humour rather than cutting edge comedy, but they are a well recognised staple of British joke material, and have been for many, many years.

"Furthermore, the 'Berlin to Warsaw' reference has to be viewed in the context of the whole film. It was the last in a series of adverts which were all full of ludicrous suggestions, parodies and absurdities. None of the scenarios were meant to be rooted in historical reality

"Thanks again for taking the time to contact us with your concerns. BBC Complaints."