BBC appoints acting Director General

The BBC governors thanked Director General Greg Dyke and former chairman Gavyn Davies for serving the public with "strong and dynamic" leadership.

A statement issued by the acting chairman Lord Ryder of Wensum on behalf of the board of governors said: "Greg Dyke, the Director General, has tendered his resignation to the Board of Governors and this has been accepted.

"The Governors have appointed Mark Byford Acting Director General. Mark will retain responsibility for all pre and post broadcast programme compliance as announced with his appointment as Deputy Director General in December 2003.

"The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that the process for appointing a new Chairman will begin shortly.

"I have agreed to be the Acting Chairman and I shall not be putting forward my name for the position on a permanent basis.

"The appointment of Director General is solely a matter for the BBC's Board of Governors. Both roles are essential to a strong and independent BBC and it is important that the vacancies created by the departures of Gavyn Davies and Greg Dyke are filled as soon as possible and with due care.

"The BBC operates only in the interests of the public. Gavyn Davies and Greg Dyke served the public with strong and dynamic leadership. Both will be greatly missed by the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, the management and staff with whom they worked.

"The manners 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.

"Finally, on behalf of the board I want to express my thanks to the staff of the BBC for their continued commitment to the principles of public service broadcasting and especially to those with the vital task of reporting the Hutton Inquiry outcome accurately and impartially."

Most watched News videos