A long-term BBC’s executive has quit his job over his alleged role in the financial mismanagement of a charity he was running with.

Alan Yentob, a creative director, was in the midst of controversy after his Kids Company charity collapsed in August. He is accused of influencing BBC coverage of the charity’s debacle.

Yentob is said to have phoned the BBC Two’s Newsnight in July, as the program prepared to broadcast a report into the charity’s government funding. He has denied any wrongdoing and previously said that he did not abuse his position at the BBC.

“The BBC is going through particularly challenging times and I have come to believe that the speculation about Kids Company and the media coverage revolving around my role is proving a serious distraction”, Yentob said on Thursday while revealing his resignation.