BBC executive ‘who backed Bashir’ made acting news chief

A BBC executive who supported the rehiring of Martin Bashir has been appointed interim head of news after ITN declined to allow Deborah Turness, appointed last week, early release from her notice period.

Jonathan Munro, who was involved in bringing Bashir back to the broadcaster and lavished praise on his “enterprising journalism”, has been appointed as the new director of BBC News and current affairs on an interim basis.

He replaces the outgoing Fran Unsworth from Jan 27 in one of the most powerful roles at the corporation.

Ms Turness, chief executive of ITN, is believed to have a notice period of 12 months.

The BBC has said that Mr Munro was not the person ultimately responsible for the reappointment of Bashir.