Undercover journalist Mazher Mahmood has accused the BBC of being "determined to condemn me whatever the truth" after the corporation's head of news vowed to broadcast a Panorama episode about him.

The BBC's head of news, James Harding, said today that the corporation would broadcast the programme about Mr Mahmood once new information has been evaluated.

Now the ''Fake Sheikh'' has issued a statement asking people to "keep an open mind on any allegations".

Mr Mahmood said he had been "forced into making a statement to correct the impression they (the BBC) have given".

He added: "I hope the BBC will see sense and postpone any broadcast until the conclusion of any proceedings.

"I hope then that they will review and consider the evidence properly (and not threaten broadcast without the full facts) and stop the broadcast. This may be a vain hope. They are determined to condemn me whatever the truth.

"In the meantime, if they do go ahead, I would ask anyone interested to keep an open mind on any allegations they do indeed make."

The programme, featuring up-to-date images of the ''Fake Sheikh'', was not broadcast last night despite a ruling in the Court of Appeal refusing Mr Mahmood an injunction to stop the screening.

The BBC made the decision after receiving new information relating to one case in the documentary from Mr Mahmood's lawyers.