Alison Lockyer, Chair of the General Dental Council (GDC), has resigned with immediate effect.

In a statement issued on 6 May announcing her resignation as both Chair and as a member of the GDC, Dr Lockyer said 'It would not be appropriate at the moment for me to go into detail about my reasons for resigning, suffice to say that, over the last few months, there have been issues that have caused me concern.' She continued, 'I remain passionate about the importance of protecting the public through professional self regulation.'

Dr Lockyer was elected GDC Chair in December 2009 and took office on 1 January 2010.