April 23, 2018

Former Newsnight deputy editor Liz Gibbons named new editor of BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme

The BBC has named former Newsnight deputy editor Liz Gibbons as the new editor of the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

While at Newsnight, Gibbons oversaw its report in 2012 that wrongly linked Lord McAlpine to historical child sex abuse claims.

The BBC paid out a £185,000 settlement to McAlpine who also pursued legal claims against individuals for sharing the false allegations.

Gibbons moved to BBC Global News a year after the botched Newsnight report, where she served as commissioning editor.

She has also led the successful development of the Review Show in Glasgow when it took the place of Newsnight Review.

The Victoria Derbyshire programme was picked up the Interview of the Year and Network Presenter of the Year prizes at the Royal Television Society Awards last month.

Gibbons, who begins her new role in early June, said: “I’m thrilled to be the new Editor of the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

“The team has built a formidable reputation for award-winning journalism, surprising and original storytelling, and compelling interviews, and it’s an honour to be joining them.”

Fran Unsworth, director of BBC News and Current Affairs, said: “Liz takes on a programme which has achieved an extraordinary level of success in a very short time, winning both BAFTA and RTS awards, and developing a style and agenda that is all its own.

“We are sure that, under her leadership, the programme’s remarkable list of achievements will continue to grow.”

Picture: BBC