Hutton 'astonished' by BBC resignations

Lord Hutton was today reported to be astonished by the backlash against his report and the top-level resignations at the BBC which followed.

The law lord, whose report into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly cleared Downing Street of wrongdoing, was said to be "dismayed" at charges he had produced a whitewash.

He has kept quiet about the aftermath of his report, published in January. He will give his first formal response when he faces MPs on the all-party Public Administration Committee in May. The Hutton Report accused the BBC of broadcasting "unfounded" allegations and having weak editorial controls. In a Guardian report today the law lord was said to have been convinced his findings were fair and even-handed.