Newsnight editor Ian Katz apologises after calling Labour MP Rachel Reeves 'boring' on Twitter Ian Katz had thought his tweet was being sent as a private message But instead it was visible to his more than 26,000 followers on the site It prompted a sarcastic response of 'thanks...' from MP Rachel Reeves Mr Katz has only been in the job two weeks following his appointment Labour MPs refuse to appear on 'snooze' show and demand public apology Newsnight editor forced to say sorry again but maintains show is impartial By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor and Martin Robinson Furious Labour party officials today demanded a public apology from the Newsnight editor Ian Katz who branded senior frontbencher Rachel Reeves 'boring snoring'. Mr Katz, who is only in his second week in the job, rushed out a formal apology after he himself was branded 'boring' for his slur against the shadow Treasury minister. As senior Labour figures vowed to boycott the programme in protest at the slur, Mr Katz was warned the Opposition's 'confidence in the impartiality and fairness' in the Corporation had been undermined. Row: Newsnight editor Ian Katz is under pressure to issue a public apology after branding Labour frontbencher Rachel Reeves 'boring snoring' on Twitter Poor show: Ian Katz thought he was sending a private direct message on Twitter but it went to his followers and came to the attention of Ms Reeves Apology: The editor, who came from the Guardian after the Savile scandal rocked the show, was forced to apologise for another blunder linked to Newsnight The former Guardian deputy editor had thought that his post was a private message but ended up tweeting it to his more than 26,000 followers. Apology: Mr Katz has now written to Labour to say sorry for the 'personal offence' caused but he maintained that Newsnight is impartial The message, which was subsequently deleted, appears to have been meant in reply to a comment about the programme. Mr Katz tweeted: 'Tnks ... except for boring snoring rachel reeves ... playout was fun tho, wasn't it? telly MUCH netter (sic) than snooooozepapers innit.' The post prompted an apparently sarcastic reply from shadow treasury chief secretary Ms Reeves, who simply said 'thanks...'. As shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Miss Reeves is effectively deputy to shadow chancellor Ed Balls. Labour vice-chairman Michael Dugher wrote on Twitter: 'Good luck in future to @BBCNewsnight in trying to persuade Labour people to go on their frankly rather boring programme at 11 at night ... 'And whilst I'm at it ... I'm not sure a guy who worked for the Guardian (yawn) & now Newsnight (snooze) can lecture people about being boring.' Former cabinet minister John Denham added: 'Ian Katz helped me answer whether I wanted to go from Southampton to Glasgow to appear on Newsnight.' Last night Mr Katz quickly apologised for the 'ill-judged' comment, which he said was supposed to have been a direct message to one individual Twitter user. He said: 'Accidentally sent v ill-judged tweet referring to @RachelReevesMP's appearance on NN. Thought was DM but in any circs wrong. Have apologised. Gaffe: Newsnight editor Ian Katz has said sorry online but Miss Reeves is said to be upset after the 'boring' jibe As the storm over his tweet intensified this morning, at lunchtime he wrote to Labour's top spin doctor Bob Roberts and apologised again, this time 'unreservedly'. 'I'm not sure a guy who worked for the Guardian (yawn) & now Newsnight (snooze) can lecture people about being boring' Labour vice-chairman Michael Dugher 'As you know it was intended as a private message but as you rightly say that is no excuse,' he said. 'I don't accept your implication that my tweet reflects in any way on the impartiality or fairness of Newsnight, except to the extent it reflects a determination make Newsnight as interesting as I can'. He went on: 'I particularly regret any personal offence I have caused to Rachel and hope she will come on again soon'. Top team: As shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, Miss Reeves is effectively deputy to shadow chancellor Ed Balls However, the Labour party made clear it was not going to let the matter rest. 'It is completely unacceptable for a senior BBC editor to have expressed this view, whether or not you intended for it to be made public' Labour party email The party today sent an email to Mr Katz demanding a full public apology for the 'completely unacceptable' comment. The message said: 'We would like to express our anger and disappointment at your tweet following Newsnight's interview with Rachel Reeves. It is completely unacceptable for a senior BBC editor to have expressed this view, whether or not you intended for it to be made public. It is vitally important that the Labour Party, our shadow cabinet and Newsnight viewers have confidence in the impartiality and fairness of your programme, and the criteria on which guests and interviews are judged. This incident undermines that confidence and it is important that this is redressed. Although a tweet of apology has been made, a full written public apology should be made by the end of the day. Argument: Ms Reeves was grilled by Jeremy Paxman on Labour's links to the unions and zero hours contracts Row: Labour's vice-chairman Michael Dugher condemned the gaffe and ridiculed Newsnight as 'boring' Mr Katz replaced Peter Rippon who left the programme in the wake of the Jimmy Savile crisis. He joined the Guardian in 1990 and has worked as a reporter, foreign correspondent, features editor and editor of the Saturday Guardian. His appointment at the BBC reportedly raised eyebrows within the industry due to his lack of television experience. Ms Reeves was appearing on the show to explain Labour's 'zero hours' policy.