Chris Evans has apologised ‘unreservedly’ for the Top Gear pictures which seemed to show a wheel spin being done next to the Cenotaph in London.

Westminster City Council said that while the Top Gear team had been given permission to drive down Whitehall, the council had no idea co-host Matt Leblanc would be doing wheel spins or donuts near the war memorial.

Since the pictures emerged, Mr Evans admitted it was ‘unwise to be anywhere near the Cenotaph’ and said the footage would not be used.

A statement from the council said it took any requests for filming around special sites ‘very seriously’. It read: ‘There is a lengthy planning process that takes place before any shoot, taking into proper account the heritage and national importance of these special sites, monuments and memorials.

‘In this case, permission was given for the Top Gear car to drive down Whitehall before moving to another location. However, what the Top Gear team did on the day was not what had been agreed during the planning process. At no time had the BBC producers made Westminster City Council aware that the car was going to be doing anything but drive down Whitehall.’

The council added it would be strengthening its procedures to ensure film and TV procedures did not deviate from pre-agreed plans in the future.

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