Ex-Daily Mail editor tipped to lead UK broadcast regulator 

Former Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

A former editor of the Daily Mail has been tipped to become chairman of the UK broadcast regulator Ofcom.

Paul Dacre, who stepped down from the helm of the newspaper in 2018, is said to be Boris Johnson’s preferred candidate for the job.

The Sunday Times reported that Dacre was “wooed” by the UK Prime Minister over drinks in Downing Street in February, and is now in talks with the British Government.

During his editorship of the Daily Mail, Dacre was critical of the BBC – which he would regulate if he was made Ofcom chairman.

The Sunday Times also reported that Charles Moore, the former editor of the Daily Telegraph, has been asked to take up the post of BBC chairman.

Ofcom chairman Terence Burns is due to leave before the end of the year, while BBC chairman David Clementi will stand down in February.

Mr Moore has previously criticised the criminalisation of people who refuse to pay the licence fee.

A UK Government spokeswoman said the processes are yet to open.

“We will launch the application process for the new chair of the BBC shortly,” they said.

“It is an open recruitment process and all public appointments are subject to a robust and fair selection criteria.”