Dyke documents could be released

The BBC has been ordered to release minutes of governors meetings held in the wake of the Hutton inquiry which led to the sacking of director general Greg Dyke and the resignation of chairman Gavyn Davies.

Following an application made by The Guardian, information campaigner Heather Brooke and supported by Dyke, a freedom of information tribunal held yesterday ruled in favour of the action.

Chair of the tribunal Andrew Bartlett QC said there was a strong public interest in knowing why Dyke had been sacked in January 2004 and why the governors then apologised to the government.

The BBC now has 28 days to hand over the documents or appeal at the high court. It said that the Trustees, scheduled to attend a meeting today, would consider their response as soon as possible.