TORY PEER PICKED TO RUN WATCHDOG

CULTURE Secretary Matt Hancock last night pushed through the appointment of a Tory peer to regulate charities despite objections from some MPs.

He said former Lords Leader Tina Stowell, pictured, was selected in an ‘open, fair and transparent’ process to chair the Charity Commission and she has his full backing.

Her appointment was opposed by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee who said she lacked the ‘experience, neutrality or capability’ to do the job.

But Mr Hancock made clear he believes her to be the ‘best candidate’ for the job. He also won the strong backing of No 10. Theresa May’s spokesman said the Oxfam scandal showed regulators should be independent.