Shocked staff stage a walkout

A number of workers at the BBC TV centre in west London staged a spontaneous walkout following Mr Dyke's resignation.

The staff left their desks and stood in the cold outside the building in White City.

Some said they were "shell shocked" at Mr Dyke's departure. Harry Matharu, 42, from the technology department, said: "I'm totally shocked and devastated, just like the majority of staff in the BBC.

"Greg has done more for the BBC than anyone else. He's approachable, caring and listens to staff at all levels. I don't think Greg and Gavyn should have resigned. The Hutton Report misses out so much information and focuses on a narrow area and we are scrutinised to the highest level."

Richard Curtis, 35, an engineer at Radio 4, said: "My main concern is that with the climbing down, the news gatherers will stop their task of questioning the Government and holding it to account."

Martin Montague, 31, a producer on digital radio station BBC7, said: "Greg should never have gone, he's done so much for the Corporation."

A BBC spokeswoman said: "It is a difficult time for BBC staff and we understand how they must be feeling."