Scott Thompson, thee chief executive of computer firm Yahoo, has stepped down, amid accusations that a fake computer science degree was included on his resume.

Ross Levinsohn will temporarily replace Thompson.

The firm is also reportedly close to agreeing a truce with activist shareholder Daniel Loeb, who discovered Thompson's mistake. Loeb, a hedge fund manager who lobbied for Mr Thompson's dismissal, is set to be appointed a company director, the BBC reports.

Yahoo has already acknowledged that Thompson, who took up his post in January, does not have a computer science degree.