A Kent MP and former BBC producer and director has slammed the corporation for sacking veteran DJ Tony Blackburn.

Sir Roger Gale issued a statement after a government report on the future of the Beeb was presented in Parliament.

He said while he welcomed the proposals put forward by the White Paper regarding the strength of the BBC's programming, its governance "left a great deal to be desired".

The MP for North Thanet and Herne Bay continued: "The lamentable handling of the Savile case and the wholly unwarranted dismissal of the broadcaster Mr Tony Blackburn as a scapegoat and smokescreen to cover the publication of Dame Janet Smith's report, have demonstrated failings on the part of the current and past Directors General and of the Chairman of the Trustees."

Mr Blackburn, who hosts a popular show every Sunday on kmfm, was dismissed by the BBC over a disagreement about his evidence to an inquiry into the Jimmy Savile scandal.

The 73-year-old, who is taking legal action against the BBC, said he had been fired because his evidence to Dame Janet Smith during the inquiry showed that a cover-up, of which he had no knowledge, had taken place.

The White Paper was unveiled by the government today, and sets out a major overhaul of how the BBC is run.

Sir Roger continued: "The Paper, developed over months of consultation and written weeks ago, sets out a clear pathway for the future of an editorially independent but accountable public broadcasting service.

"Emphasis on the remit to "educate inform and entertain" is maintained, as is the right of the BBC to schedule, and the requirement upon the corporation to be impartial and to develop programmes distinctive from the commercial offering strengthens the position."