Greg Dyke Steps Down As BBC Director General
Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, today quit his position as the Corporation descended into chaos following the publication of the Hutton Report.
Mark Byford, his deputy, has been appointed as acting director-general.
The departure of Dyke follows the resignation of chairman Gavyn Davies yesterday, after Lord Hutton’s report found the BBC defective in its operations in the events surrounding the death of Dr David Kelly (see Davies Resigns Following Hutton Report Criticisms).
He said that he hopes his departure “draws a line” under the events of the last 24 hours and allows an “opportunity for a new start.”
Lord Ryder has been appointed acting chairman and today announced the departure of Dyke.
“Gavyn Davies and Greg Dyke served the public with strong, dynamic leadership,” he said. “Both will be greatly missed by the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee and the management and staff with whom they worked.”
“The manner of their departures demonstrates the integrity of both men. The whole Corporation owes them a debt of thanks and they deserve enormous credit for their dedication and contributions to the BBC over the last few years.”
He said that he would not be putting his name forward as the new chairman and that the process for appointing a replacement for Davies will begin shortly.
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