The BBC has denied Mr Harwood’s claim that his comments were taken out of context in the item on Radio 4.

The Association of Colleges says it has been contacted by a number of principals suggesting Mr Harwood should be replaced.

Although the association is stopping short of calling for his resignation itself, the signs are that he could face an uncomfortable reception when he addresses its annual conference in Birmingham on November 20 to 22.

“We understand and share principals’ strength of feeling about what has happened,” said David Gibson, chief executive of the AoC. “What we want is strong leadership for the sector and it is up to the LSC and the Government to determine what shape that should take.”

In a letter to Mr Gibson, Today assistant editor Eleanor Plowden said: “We feel we more than fairly represented the views he expressed in the interview with Kim Catcheside. There is always a question of editorial judgement and fairness when it comes to the editing of interviews, but we do not feel his remarks were taken out of context.”

he said there may have been a “question of overall balance” in the item, not in its treatment of Mr Harwood, but in the decision to cut a contribution from Alan Davidge, director of learning services at Stockport college.

“In this instance,” the letter continues, “the balancing voice was lost.We can only apologise”.

Mr Davidge, has written to the BBC although it says it has not received a complaint from Mr Harwood.

Mr Harwood has apologised to college principals for his words as they were transmitted.

“The effect of my words on Radio 4 and their interpretation were neither what I intended nor wish to allow to persist,” he wrote.

“They were however my words. I need not only to make clear what I meant but to say sorry for the effects they have had on you and your colleagues.”