Britain's top anti-racist official apologised "unreservedly" today for making a 'joke' about the late Queen Mother's colostomy bag at a dinner.

Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), made the gag when giving a speech at a black tie dinner held at Imperial College London on Saturday night.

The 54-year-old's slip-up came as he recounted a memorable conversation he had with palace officials before he danced with the Queen Mother at a ball during his student days.

"There was a clearing of throats and shuffling of feet," he told diners.

"One said, 'Mr Phillips, I need to share something with you. When you're dancing with the Queen Mother you will have to lay your hands on her'. I said, 'Yes, that's what happens in dancing. But I'm not going to grope the Queen Mother'.

"He replied, 'You have to be careful where you put your hands. You have to be careful about the colostomy bag'."

Mr Phillips then reportedly stopped to wait for laughter but, after gasps from some members of the audience, added: "I had to say that after you had dinner."

A number of those who attended the dinner were later reported to have complained to Mr Phillips and the CEHR, which today issued a statement apologising and adding that he had written to Imperial College to say sorry.

"Trevor gave a speech at a private event, during which he did tell an anecdote," the CEHR statement said today.

"However, the comments were not meant to cause offence to anyone. He unreservedly apologises for the remarks which were made and has written to Imperial College to apologise."

The speech came at a party to mark Imperial College's centenary. Mr Phillips used to study at the university and had been invited to give the talk as a guest of honour.

In the early 90s, he was head of current affairs at the now defunct London Weekend Television (LWT) station.

As well as his subsequent job as head of the Commission for Racial Equality, which he held until last year when he started his new role, Mr Phillips launched an unsuccessful attempt to run for the position of deputy mayor of London.

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