Baroness Jay Favoured For BBC Chair

Baroness Jay, the former Labour leader in the Lords, has emerged as favourite to be the next chairman of the BBC, according to press reports.

The deadline for applications closed last week and press speculation has tipped Baroness Jay to take over from Sir Christopher Bland in the £77,950 a year post, one of the most influential jobs in the media industry.

Other contenders are rumoured to be Gavyn Davies, vice chairman of the BBC, Lord Burns, who resolved the awarding of the national lottery franchise, Michael Grade, the former chief executive of Channel 4 and James Lee, chairman of Scottish Screen.

A spokesman for the Department Of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) today refused to confirm or deny the rumours adding: “The candidates deserve privacy.”

An independent panel has been set up to carry out the selection process but the final decision will rest with the Prime Minister and the Culture Secretary.

DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.culture.gov.uk

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