The BBC has revealed who will take over as Politics Editor at BBC News after Laura Kuenssberg leaves the role next month. Interim director of BBC News Jonathan Munro announced that Chris Mason will be replacing her.
Mr Mason, 41, was previously a political correspondent for the BBC and co-hosts the Newscast podcast alongside Ms Kuenssberg, Europe editor Katya Adler and chief political correspondent Adam Fleming. He also presents BBC Radio 4's Any Questions and is an occasional host of BBC Breakfast
He said: “What a tremendous privilege to take on what, for me, is the most extraordinary job in British broadcasting and journalism. I clamber upon the shoulders of giants like Laura, Nick and Andrew with a smattering of trepidation and a shedload of excitement and enthusiasm.
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“To lead the best team of journalists in the business on the best news patch of the lot is something I’d never even dared dream of. I can’t wait to get started.”
Mr Munro, said: “Chris has been an exceptional correspondent in an extraordinary time for British politics. His calm, incisive analysis and signature candid style have been invaluable for audiences when navigating complex stories. His ambition and vision for the political editor role is really exciting and I wish him every success in the new post.”
Beth Rigby, Sky News’s political editor and presenter, congratulated him on his appointment as her counterpart at BBC News. She tweeted: “What a great choice. Huge congratulations @ChrisMasonBBC and welcome to the Pol Ed role – the best and busiest beat in the business. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of you Chris!”.
Ms Keunssberg, who announced she was stepping down as the broadcaster’s political editor after seven years in December, congratulated her colleague on the appointment, tweeting: "Huge congrats and welcome to the best daily job in the business, to colleague, great friend and of course newscaster @ChrisMasonBBC."
She has been announced as the new permanent presenter of the BBC’s Sunday morning politics show and will start her role when the show relaunches this September with a new set, title, format and title music.
Announcing the news in March, Ms Kuenssberg said: “I couldn’t be more delighted. For decades Sunday morning has been the moment to explore the events that shape us and to challenge and listen to our politicians. It’s an honour to take the chair for that conversation in the 2020s.”
Ms Kuenssberg, 45, who was raised in Glasgow, succeeded Nick Robinson as political editor of the BBC in 2015 – becoming the first woman to hold the position. According to the corporation’s most recent annual report, Kuenssberg earned between £260,000 and £264,999 for the role.
The change comes as a number of senior figures have recently announced they are leaving the BBC for rival outlets. Dan Walker announced last week that he is leaving to join 5 News at Channel 5, replacing Sian Williams, while Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel have announced they are leaving to join media group Global. Andrew Marr also quit for a show on LBC and to focus on writing for newspapers.
