MPs could hold an inquiry on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Millennium Dome boss Jennie Page.

John Maxton, a Labour member of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee, said the panel of MPs could take evidence on how Mrs Page left her post as chief executive of the New Millennium Experience Company.

Ms Page has been replaced by Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, former vice-president of operations at Disneyland Paris, who will now take over the running of the £758m Dome.

Mr Maxton told the BBC: "I think at the end of the day the committee will have to look at this, whether it will be immediately or whether it will be slightly longer term I don't know.

"But certainly I think we will have to look and ask the questions, both of the ministers and of the company, as to how it happened and why it happened."

He said the committee had always been very impressed by Ms Page, whose departure from the Dome came days after the attraction's visiting figures for January were published.

"I think it is a little bit premature to have got rid of her as quite as quick as this," he said.

'Political fingerprints'

Mr Maxton added that the attendance figures for January alone, which showed the Dome was only attracting about 11,000 visitors a day, were "not going to tell us the truth about the Dome".

Former Heritage Secretary Virginia Bottomley said she believed Mrs Page's resignation had "political fingerprints around" it.

Mrs Bottomley, who has visited the Dome three times, described Mrs Page as a "magnificent public servant".

"It sounds a messy business and it looks as though there are a lot of political fingerprints around," said Mrs Bottomley.

Mrs Page had faced a very difficult task because of the change of political leadership and the decision by the Labour leadership to fill the project with "party political imagery and language".

"I don't think it is her fault the difficulties have emerged," said Mrs Bottomley.

The former minister said she had sent Mrs Page a message of support.

"No doubt she's got a story to tell but she won't be telling it," said Mrs Bottomley.