BBC looking to bring Peter Barron back in as editor of Newsnight
The BBC is lining up Peter Barron to return as editor of Newsnight as it struggles to replace Peter Rippon, according to reports.
Barron left the show in 2008, after four years as its editor, and currently works as Google's head of external relations for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The BBC has been looking for a replacement for Rippon since he stepped down in the midst of the Jimmy Savile scandal in October last year.
Despite applications for the position closing in early February and numerous rumours linking the likes of Robbie Gibb, editor of the Daily and Sunday Politics, John Mullin, ex-editor of the Independent on Sunday, and Chris Birkett, the ex-head of sky news, to the role, no appointment has been made.
As such, speculation has mounted with Newsnight insiders that newly appointed director general Tony Hall will bring Barron back into the role.
Hall told MPs last Thursday that he wanted to make an appointment within two weeks: "I am involved in that process because it is a phenomenally important job,"
"I want real ambition in our current affairs output."
"What I want is to find, with news management, the right editor and then get that editor to come and produce the most compelling vision for what Newsnight can be going forward," Hall said.
"It's really important for the BBC to have a programme after the 10 O'Clock News which is reflective on the day and really adds something which others don't ... doing the sort of feature the Economist or New Yorker does.”