The Culture Secretary has said “it’s about time we had a woman at the helm” of BBC Question Time as long-serving host of the flagship political debate show, David Dimbleby, steps down.

Matt Hancock MP made the remark in response to a question from fellow Conservative MP Vicky Ford in the House of Commons this morning.

She asked: “Will The Secretary of State join me in thanking David Dimbleby for his role 25 years at the helm of Question Time and does he agree that in this year, 100 years of women’s suffrage, this baton should be passed to a woman?”