Peter Barron, a former deputy editor of Channel 4 News who returned to the BBC last year to edit the BBC Two current affairs strand If, has been appointed editor of Newsnight.
Taking up the role next month, Barron fills the vacancy left by George Entwistle, following his appointment last month as inaugural executive editor of the BBC topical arts unit.
A former Newsnight producer and deputy editor of ITV’s Tonight With Trevor McDonald, Barron rejoined the BBC in August 2003. He was Channel 4 News deputy editor from 1998 to 2002.
BBC director of news Richard Sambrook said: “We want Peter to preserve the strengths of the programme, while innovating and making sure Newsnight offers the best coverage of politics, international affairs, business and culture.”
By Wale Azeez
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