A spokesperson for the Archbishop of Canterbury has again denied that he apologised for the Dresden bombing during a speech at a commemoration event in Germany.

The Daily Mail had claimed that Most Revd Justin Welby said sorry during the event in February.

Archbishop Justin made a speech at a church service attended by German president Joachim Gauck to mark the events of 70 years ago which left 25,000 civilians dead and destroyed much of Dresden.

But in a letter published in the newspaper today his Director of Communications, Ailsa Anderson, said 'neither the word 'sorry' nor 'apology' was used'.

She added: "Context and meaning for words, especially their Christian interpretation, is all important."

The archbishop had told the service "as a follower of Jesus I stand here among you with a profound feeling of regret and deep sorrow."

But in her letter Ms Anderson added: "Sorrow for loss and suffering is justified, even if one thinks the course of action was necessary at the time. The Archbishop's words were in the spirit of reconciliation with Germany.

"Mr Welby would never diminish the importance of the RAF. One of his relatives served in Bomber Command and was killed in the war; he's well aware of the sacrifice and heroism of that group.

"The Archbishop is known for his straight speaking. Had he intended to apologise he would have done so."

At the time Archbishop Justin described the Daily Mail's report as "manifestly false".