Gerald Kaufman has tabled an early day motion calling for the dismissal of "negligent" BBC chiefs.

He suggests that Today programme reporter Andrew Gilligan is being cast in the role of fall guy by the corporation's bosses.

The senior Labour MP says the BBC has failed to maintain the standards expected and demands "dismissals at every level".

Kaufman says it is "not acceptable" that Gilligan emailed questions to be asked of Dr David Kelly to the foreign affairs committee.

But he broadens his assault on the corporation's senior managers - including the director general.

He alleged that senior bosses, including BBC head of news Richard Sambrook, were aware of the journalist's actions.

Under particular fire is Greg Dyke who, the MP alleged, failed to maintain control as director general.

"Mr Dyke was so slack in carrying out his duties as editor-in-chief at the BBC that he let several weeks go by before making the most elementary enquiries about this general state of affairs," says Kaufman's motion.

He added that it is "deplorable" that Gilligan is to be made the fall guy for Dyke's "negligent" management.

"Only dismissals are every level of the BBC can have any effect in restoring the BBC's tarnished reputation for reputable and reliable news-gathering," concludes the MP.