Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph, has been tipped as next BBC chairman (PA)The new BBC chairman must be a “strong, big person” who can hold the broadcaster to account, a Cabinet minister has said, as the Government faced accusations of “interfering” in the appointment process. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden insisted no offers had been made despite reports that Boris Johnson is seeking to appoint Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph, to the post. The Sunday Times also said that the Prime Minister wanted ex-Daily Mail editor and vocal BBC critic Paul Dacre to become chairman of broadcast regulator Ofcom. Mr Dowden said the process for appointing new chairmen of the BBC and Ofcom would be launched shortly, with interviews conducted by an independent panel. Ofcom chairman Lord (Terence) Burns is due to leave before the end of the year, while BBC chairman Sir David Clementi will stand down in February.

Source: Irish Independent September 27, 2020 10:07 UTC