BBC veteran presenter Nick Robinson was approached by Corporation bosses to be considered for the role of Director of News.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal that BBC chiefs are keen for him to replace Fran Unsworth, who announced in September that she would be stepping down from her £340,000-a-year job next year.
Robinson, who has been at the microphone since 1995 for ITN/Corporation would have to leave. Robinson was also the BBC’s Political editor for ten years.
The move will also end his rivalry to Media Editor Amolrajan, 38. Rajan joined him in March as a colleague presenter on Radio 4 Today.
Veteran BBC presenter Nick Robinson has been sounded out by the Corporation’s bosses about taking the influential Director of News role, ending his 25-year stint at the microphone
BBC sources tell us that Ms Unsworth is looking for an impartial and secure successor. This may be due to controversy around the recent appointment of Jess Brammar to a top news executive position. Brammar has previously been highly critical of the Tory Government.
Insiders claim that Robinson (58), who had surgery to remove a lung tumour six years back, will not be able to do so. However, this plan sheds light on Robinson’s presentation style and sharp elbows at Today’s flagship programme. It has been called a “cauldron full of egos”.
There are currently five Today presenters – Robinson, Rajan, Mishal Husain, Justin Webb and Martha Kearney – but there has been speculation that highly respected Laura Kuenssberg, who stands down as BBC Political Editor next year, wants a role there too.
It has been speculated that Laura Kuensberg, the highly-respected BBC Political Editor, may be looking for a position at Today Programme. Pushing out Robinson would open up an opportunity to fill that seat.
An informed source said that “there is quite the merry go-round going on at the moment, and it is causing some headaches,”
Amol and Laura need to be looked after, so it is necessary to do something. Although it may seem strange to others to suggest that Nick be moved to an administrative, non-presenting role behind the scenes, this would resolve a problem. Nick is qualified to handle this job.
Multiple claims have been made that the BBC is biased against the Tories. Robinson, a father of three children was president of Oxford University Conservative Association before becoming a journalist. He later became Chairman of National Young Conservatives.
This suggests that Robinson will not be a candidate to present Andrew Marr’s Sunday political program on BBC One. Sophie Raworth (pictured above) temporarily will take over the Andrew Marr Show’s flagship Sunday program on BBC One.
Andrew Marr will host new radio shows starting in next year on Classic FM (LBC)
Robinson’s approach is further proof that Jonathan Munro, Head of Newsgathering was not the formality it once was.
Munro was nicknamed “Macavity” because of his propensity to dodge the blame for scandals. He has now been embroiled with the disastrous Cliff Richard and Martin bashir affairs.
Also, it suggests Robinson isn’t a potential replacement for Andrew Marr in the BBC’s Sunday political program.
Corporation announced today that Sophie Raworth, a newsreader for the Corporation will host the program temporarily until Marr departs at the end.
Vicki Young’s deputy and Jon Sopel (who was the BBC’s North America editor earlier in the year) are among those who could replace Ms Kuenssberg.