THE NEXT DIRECTOR GENERAL

So BBC D-G Mark Thompson is stepping down from his post in the Autumn. The DT has an article here contemplating who should succeed him. Should it be a woman? Our old friend Helen Boaden is in the running. As you know, when it comes to Helen “Impartiality is in our DNA” Boaden we have the very personification of why we need to see the BBC axed.

Helen Boaden, director of BBC News Group, is tipped as one of the strongest internal candidates and according to sources at the corporation has already embarked on an internal PR campaign to secure her post. Mrs Boaden, 56, is married and has worked at the BBC for nearly 20 years, mostly in news and current affairs. She is also close to Lord Patten of Barnes, chairman of the BBC Trust, who will effectively be responsible for appointing Mr Thompson’s replacement.