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New chair for Press Complaints Commission

Baroness Peta Buscombe is to be the next chairman of the Press Complaints Commission.

She succeeds Sir Christopher Meyer who is standing down from the role in March.

Baroness Buscombe said: “It is an enormous privilege to be asked to take up the chairmanship of the PCC.

“I have always been a champion of self regulation which is vital to balance the freedom of the press with the rights of the public.

“This is a crucial time in the development of the PCC and I greatly look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Baroness Buscombe is currently chief executive and director general of the Advertising Association.

Trained as a barrister, she has had an extensive career in politics and the private sector and in 1998 she was made a Life Peer and has been a Conservative front bench spokesman in the House of Lords on several briefs including trade and industry and legal affairs.

Tim Bowdler, chairman of the Press Standards Board of Finance which represents the newspaper industry, said: “I and my colleagues in the industry are delighted that Baroness Buscombe has accepted PressBoF’s invitation to take up the position of chairman of the Press Complaints Commission.

“This follows a thorough selection process which identified a number of strong candidates. In our discussions, she made clear her strong belief in a free press and in a system of self-regulation recognised by the public as independent of the industry.

“I have no doubt that Baroness Buscombe will prove a worthy successor to Sir Christopher Meyer to whom I must express our thanks for the substantial contribution he has made to the PCC.”

Sir Christopher Meyer added: “Peta Buscombe is an excellent choice for the job which is as challenging as it is enjoyable. I have no doubt that she will be highly successful in further strengthening the effectiveness, independence and credibility of the PCC.”