The things Byers said

Mr Byers made a statement to the Commons

Stephen Byers denies he had misled MPs over the departure of his press chief Martin Sixsmith.

In the House of Commons he repeatedly told critics to examine what he actually said during a previous statement to MPs on 26 February.

Here are some of the quotes from that statement to the Commons when he said Mr Sixsmith had quit - a claim that subsequently turned out to be untrue.

"With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Mr Martin Sixsmith from the post of director of communications in my department."

"Jo Moore agreed to resign. Martin Sixsmith agreed to resign. I announced the resignations."

"I honestly believe that the resignations of Jo Moore and Martin Sixsmith mean that [my department] is in a stronger position."

"The House has had an opportunity to hear at first hand from me about the circumstances of Martin Sixsmith's resignation."

"The resignation was agreed with Martin Sixsmith and the permanent secretary.

"It is still the case that the precise terms of his departure are being negotiated and discussed by Martin Sixsmith and the permanent secretary.

"Mr Sixsmith's resignation has been accepted and the terms under which he is to depart are being negotiated.

"As I said earlier, Martin Sixsmith offered his resignation, which was accepted, on 15 February."

"I think that we have done the right thing by securing the resignations of Jo Moore and Martin Sixsmith."

Contrast that with the statement issued by the Department of Transport on Tuesday.

"The Department accept that Martin Sixsmith has remained in their employment since his contract began on 19 November 2001.

"He did not resign on 15 February 2002. The Department regrets that, while acting in good faith, they announced that he had resigned on what turned out to be an incorrect understanding of earlier discussions that day."