After weeks of speculation over who will be the BBC’s next political editor, a senior BBC employee today announced on Twitter that Laura Kuenssberg is to be Nick Robinson’s successor. However, just moments later the tweet was hastily deleted. Happily, the Mail’s John Stevens managed to screen grab it before it disappeared:
The tweet that mysteriously vanished pic.twitter.com/FJnyHRq9uI
— John Stevens (@johnestevens) July 22, 2015
While the BBC are declining to comment at this time on whether Laura, who is currently Newsnight‘s chief correspondent, is the new political editor, others have been quick to offer their congratulations:
https://twitter.com/alstewitn/status/623864313917362176
Congrats to @bbclaurak (if reported tweet is true) on taking over from @bbcnickrobinson as @BBCNews political editor. pic.twitter.com/9IJZG8jj9B
— alexhuds (@alexhuds) July 22, 2015
Looks like @bbclaurak is the new BBC Political editor.
— Voice Of The Kop (@mattg211) July 22, 2015
While Kuenssberg was the odds-on favourite for the role after a late flurry of bets in her favour, if true, the news is likely to come as a disappointment to Nick Robinson’s deputy James Landale. With Tony Hall reportedly keen for a woman to fill the role, Landale may have found that his sex along with his education at Eton meant he was just not diverse enough to win the top job.
Update: Three hours later, the BBC have confirmed that Laura Kuenssberg has been appointed as the Corporation’s new political editor. She confirmed the news in a statement this evening:
‘I’m completely delighted and I recognise the responsibility on my shoulders. It’s an honour for me to follow Nick Robinson who has been such an outstanding political editor.’
Mr S wishes her the best of luck.
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