Boris Johnson has defended BBC director general Greg Dyke, following his resignation.

The Hutton Report claimed its second BBC scalp when the corporation's top man quit. Mr Dyke resigned a day after BBC chairman Gavyn Davies stood down.

The Henley MP said Mr Dyke had been a good DG who had developed the BBC in many ways.

The Conservative MP added: "I think the BBC is showing a complete lack of guts and determination and I don't see why Greg Dyke is going now. He should tough it out. This is a sad day. The BBC has many faults but it is a fine national institution. I feel this is a miscarriage of justice."

Mr Dyke's decision emerged as the remaining governors gathered at Broadcasting House in central London for crisis talks.

David Cameron, Conservative MP for Witney, added that Mr Dyke was an excellent broadcaster and manager of talent.

"What matters now is that the BBC gets things right in the future and makes the changes necessary to do that, rather than putting heads on plates."

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said it was "inevitable" that Mr Dyke would resign, following the criticisms in Lord Hutton's report of the editorial and management processes in the BBC.

"He is the top man, he has to take the responsibility and he has done the honourable thing," Mr Smith said.

Wantage MP Robert Jackson, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris, and Banbury MP Tony Baldry were not available for comment. Mr Dyke issued a partial apology for the allegations on Wednesday.