Trust is key to understanding Entwistle's decision
George Entwistle said in one of his interviews that the BBC faced a big crisis of trust.
And it is that word trust that is the key to understanding his decision to resign.
The trust of its audience is vital for the legitimacy of a publicly funded broadcaster like the BBC and the question was whether the corporation was more likely to regain lost trust with George Entwistle remaining at the helm or without him.
His hesitant performances in front of MPs and media microphones had not inspired confidence.
Even in the brief 54 days in the job, he had managed to win a reputation as "incurious George", a man without a grip on an organisation in deep crisis.
But in going he leaves the BBC in even more trouble. The new man in charge, Tim Davie, has no journalistic experience and is a relative newcomer to the corporation.
This morning the corporation finds itself wounded, under attack and, in effect, leaderless.