BBC editor Craig Oliver replaces Andy Coulson as No 10 communications chief

David Cameron describes Oliver, the controller of BBC global news, as a 'formidable journalist'

David Cameron has appointed a BBC television news editor to replace Andy Coulson as the Downing Street director of communications.

Craig Oliver, 41, the controller of BBC global news who made his name revamping the BBC News at Ten, was hailed by the prime minister as a "formidable journalist".

The appointment of Oliver will herald a series of changes in the Downing Street communications team. Gabby Bertin, Cameron's longstanding aide, will take a greater role in briefing the press. She will report to Oliver, who will be in overall command and will be a political special adviser.

Meanwhile, Steve Field, the prime minister's spokesman who is a high-flying Treasury career civil servant, will have an enhanced role. It is expected that Field, who had not been attending some of the prime minister's morning meetings, will have greater access.

The prime minister said: "I am very pleased that Craig Oliver is to become the new director of communications at 10 Downing Street. Craig has formidable experience as a broadcast journalist. He will do an excellent job in explaining and communicating the government's programme."

Oliver said: "I'm delighted to be joining David Cameron and his team at such an exciting and challenging time. It's difficult to leave the BBC after a fascinating few years, but this is an opportunity I can't turn down."

Oliver has been the controller of BBC global news since June 2010 and was the BBC's general election editor in 2010. He has also served as editor of BBC News at Ten and BBC News at Six.

From 2002-2006, he was the head of output at ITV News. Before that he was output editor at Channel Four News and at ITV News. He was also editor of ITV's 2005 general election programme.

Oliver was educated at a Scottish comprehensive and studied at the University of St Andrews. He is married to the BBC News presenter Joanna Gosling. They! have th ree young daughters.

Oliver came to the attention of Cameron via Coulson in the runup to last year's general election. Coulson broke ground by bypassing the press and giving stories straight to the News at Ten. Cameron regarded this as one of Coulson's finest achievements, because it set the news agenda.

The appointment marks an important element of continuity with Coulson in one area: Oliver does not come from Cameron's semi-aristocratic background.

But Cameron's choice also marks a break from Coulson in a key area: Oliver has not worked for Rupert Murdoch.

Coulson left Downing Street on Monday after playing an important role in recruiting Oliver. Coulson resigned on 21 January after deciding that the wave of allegations about illegal phone-hacking dating back to his time as editor of the News of the World meant he was unable to do his job. He has always denied any knowledge of wrongdoing.


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