Conservative MP Conor Burns said that for the “existing leadership of the PCC to be even contemplating being the leadership of the new body risks not being the break and fresh start” that the public demands.

Hunt replied: “A number of people say it was all your idea, this new body, how dare you walk away? That is why I am now taking the ‘I’m not ruling myself out and not ruling myself in’ route.”

He said that the existing complaints-handling staff from the PCC will transfer over to the new regulator and that himself, former Mail on Sunday editor Peter Wright and Lord Grade will be the directors of IPSO – which is a Public Interest Company – until the new directors are appointed.