Boris Johnson’s pick to be the next chair of the BBC has let it be known he will not be taking up the role.
It’s understood family health problems would prevent him from succeeding current chairman David Clementi when his term ends next February.
Last week, The Sunday Times reported Lord Moore, the former editor of the Daily Telegraph, had been asked to be chairman of the BBC with another former editor, Paul Dacre of the Daily Mail, in line to head Ofcom.
Subsequently Julian Knight MP, chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee urged the government to ensure the process to appoint the next Chair of the BBC and Chair of Ofcom is ‘fair and seen to be fair’.
Both Boris Johnson and Charles Moore have written for the Telegraph and the former Eton pupils are said to be close friends.