A hardline letter sent by the BPI at the 11th hour threatened to undermine a deal to tackle illegal file-sharing, prompting the government to express its displeasure of the music industry body in a terse response to record label executives.

The BPI's letter, signed by the body's chief executive, Geoff Taylor, was sent to Baroness Vadera, the business minister; the UK's six biggest internet service providers; and the Motion Picture Association of America, the Hollywood studios' trade organisation. ...