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Greg has resigned and it feels as though the BBC will never be the same. I was outside Broadcasting House yesterday as the DG came out to announce to the press that he was leaving the BBC. Later I was at Television Centre where 400 or more staff had gathered outside in protest at Greg's departure. Greg took a car to TVC to bid farewell to the staff, many of whom were gathered around the entrance.

I met my son, Wesley, in reception. He had just arrived for his overnight shift with Radio 5 Live. He sent me a text a little later. Greg was in the newsroom and had just been through his office saying his goodbye's and urging staff to maintain the BBC's journalistic standards.

I will miss Greg's leadership - I shall miss Greg as a person. Before he took up his post he toured a number of radio stations in the regions. He sat in my office in York and we talked about local radio in the BBC. He listened and after that he remembered me whenever we met. His effect on the BBC was incredible. We became the market leaders and started to take bold and risky decisions, expecting to succeed. Tedious bureacracies were swept aside and programmes became king. Today is a sad day for all who work for the corporation.
I still feel angry that this is the result of a flawed judicial inquiry into one story that touched a raw nerve in Downing Street. We dented Alastair Campbell's ego and as a result and out of all proportion paid the price, losing a much respected director general.

I know Mark Byford who's acting DG now. He will do a good job. He has the potential to inspire as well as lead, but he takes up the reins at a very difficult time. The governors appear to have capitulated to the demands of the Prime Minister and Mark will need to restore the confidence of both the staff and the public in our journalistic independence. It's a tough call but I'm glad it's Mark. When he was appointed as Greg's deputy I sent him my congratulations in an email. I suggested that in his new post he would need our prayers. Now he needs them even more.