Claims by successive governments that they have sought to protect the BBC from political interference are the "greatest nonsense", a Tory former Cabinet minister has said.

Administrations were "notorious" for interfering, Lord Fowler told peers highlighting the £600 million cost landed on the BBC for providing TV licences to the over-75s.

Speaking during a debate into a Lords report on the BBC charter review, the Conservative peer said he was "passionately in favour" of a BBC independent of government.

He urged steps to "strengthen the BBC and not weaken it".

Lord Fowler was scathing in his criticism of the royal charter under which the corporation is governed.

He argued it was set up to avoid Parliament and put power in the hands of the executive, allowing ministers "to do virtually what they like".

The peer said: "The Government may make fundamental changes but without the inconvenience of parliamentary approval."

He added: "Even when they say the are protecting the BBC from political interference, it really is the greatest nonsense."

The worst political interference came from government ministers, Lord Fowler argued.

He said: "When the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) say that the charter has served us so well for 90 years, I think we are entitled to say just who are you kidding.

"The point is the charter as it stands needs fundamental reform or total abolition.

"It's utterly undemocratic, it makes a nonsense of parliamentary sovereignty and hands all power to ministers."

Former film producer Lord Puttnam said governments of all persuasions had used the charter review to put pressure on the BBC, which was a "thoroughly unhealthy state of affairs".

The Labour peer said it was time the BBC was constituted on a more secure basis by replacing he charter system and putting the corporation on a statutory footing, if necessary through new legislation.

Amid concern among peers about the possibility of having government appointees as non-executive board members, Lord Puttnam warned of "growing disquiet and anger over the prospect of a Whittingdale Broadcasting Corporation".

He said ministers must demonstrate their support for meaningful independence in appointments.

Broadcaster and Labour peer Baroness Bakewell said attempts by critics to limit the scope of the BBC and "cut it down to size" would be disastrous to its role as a global player.

Fellow broadcaster and Labour peer Lord Bragg said the BBC was on "tremendous form" at the moment with a series of successful dramas but warned it seemed to exist in an "atmosphere of permanent crisis" over its future.