GREG DYKE will use a business event in the North-East to lift the lid on the events surrounding his resignation as director-general of the BBC last year.

The former BBC boss will be in Middlesbrough to help local businesses with leadership and corporate responsibility issues.

Mr Dyke stepped down from the Beeb in January last year at the height of a fierce battle between the Labour Government and the Corporation.

The confrontation was sparked by claims on Radio 4's Today programme that the Government had "sexed up" a military intelligence document to imply there was a real and imminent threat that Saddam Hussein could deploy weapons of mass destruction.

Mr Dyke will be speaking at the second event of the new Middlesbrough Business Forum.

The seminar was organised by the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), in conjunction with Middlesbrough Council and Eversheds law firm, to mark its tenth anniversary celebrations.

Wendy Reaney, NECC head of events, said: "The controversy surrounding Greg Dyke's departure from the BBC was a hot topic for many months.

"Greg has a wealth of experience at the coal face of business and his speech will be eagerly anticipated."

Those attending the event will be treated to a behind-the-scenes insight into the chain of events that ultimately led Mr Dyke to tender his resignation - a decision which brought hundreds BBC employees out on to the streets in protest.

The corporate responsibility and leadership event will be held at The Riverside Stadium on Thursday, February 3, at 11.30am.

Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact the NECC events team on 0191-386 1133.