MR Eddie Dick, the Scottish Screen executive who became embroiled in the recent controversy over accusations of ''cronyism'' in the former Scottish Film Production Fund, yesterday announced his resignation. He is leaving the agency to pursue a career in independent film production.

His departure comes just weeks after Scottish Screen chairman Allan Shiach revealed that he too was standing down. The two men were always regarded as the closest of allies within the organisation.

Mr Dick, a former English teacher from Fife, has spent the last 14 years working for the Scottish Film Council, Scottish Film Production Fund, and for the past six months for the newly created Scottish Screen. However, over this year he has found himself the target for criticism from some sections of the Scottish film community.

It started in January when film-maker Bill Forsyth launched a scathing attack on the Scottish Film Production Fund - and, in particular, Mr Dick who was the organisation's director. He accused it of lacking objectivity, consistency, and of cronyism.

Mr Forsyth's comments split the film community and indirectly led to the establishment of Scottish Stand, the highly effective pressure group which now boasts some of the country's top independent film-makers, technicians, and actors within its ranks.