The driver of the bin lorry that killed six people in Glasgow has apologised "unreservedly" for his role in the crash for the first time.

Harry Clarke had been criticised for blanking questions at the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the crash which also injured 15 on December 22 last year.

Mr Clarke, who resigned from his job with Glasgow City Council last Friday while still under suspension, said he was following legal advice.

In a statement to a BBC documentary about the impact the crash has had on the families, he said: "I wish to make clear that it was always my intention to answer all questions put to me during the fatal accident inquiry.

"The only reason I did not was as a direct result of legal advice given to me at the time by those representing me.

"I am aware that the families of the victims of the incident will have many unanswered questions."

He continued: "I will try to answer all of those questions to the best of his ability at the point I am able to do so.

"I understand that the impact of this event on me is irrelevant when compared to the loss the families of the victims have suffered.

"I wish to unreservedly apologise for my role in this tragic event."

Also in the programme, some of the victims of the crash accused the Crown of misleading them after questioning whether it was aware of all the available evidence before deciding not to prosecute Mr Clarke.

Two families claim that David Green, the head of the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit, told them weeks after the decision was taken not to pursue the then council employee through the criminal courts that Mr Clarke had fainted in a one-off incident in a hot canteen.

The Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) - held into the deaths of six people after Mr Clarke’s truck veered on to the pavement in Queen Street and George Square before crashing into a hotel - heard that the episode had, in fact, taken place when he was behind the wheel of a bus.

The claims, which are denied by the Crown Office, were made during the last night’s BBC 1 documentary, Lies, Laws and the Bin Lorry Tragedy.

Adam Russell, the son of victim Jacqueline Morton, claimed Mr Green made the claim about Mr Clarke’s canteen fainting episode during face-to-face meetings with all the families of those who died. Mr Green had held the meetings to explain the Crown’s decision not to go ahead with a prosecution.

Lucy Ewing, whose mother Gillian Ewing died, said: “We were specifically told he passed out in a canteen. No mention of on a bus.”

Mr Russell alleged that they were sent productions from the Crown that showed Mr Clarke had fainted at the wheel of a First Bus in Glasgow in April 2010.

The company was aware of the incident, but neither Glasgow City Council, when he later gained a job with the local authority, or the DVLA were informed.

This evidence was also heard at the FAI.

Mr Clarke told his GP that he fainted in a hot canteen at work without any warning.

The Crown Office said it was aware that Mr Clarke had fainted on a bus when it decided not to prosecute and that all evidence was disclosed to families before the FAI.

In a statement the Crown Office said: “Our official was fully aware of the evidence that the driver had a previous faint on a bus at the time he met the families.

"That evidence was contained in the driver’s medical records and known at the earliest stage of the investigation and, following the decision to hold a Fatal Accident Inquiry, was provided to the families’ lawyers so that they were aware of it well in advance of the inquiry beginning.”

Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, were struck and killed by the lorry.

Stephenie Tait, 29, and Jacqueline Morton, 51, both from Glasgow, and Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, also died in the crash.

A determination is expected on the FAI in the new year.