The director of the Press Complaints Commission is to leave the role at the end of the year, it was announced today.

Tim Toulmin has worked for the press watchdog for 13 years and spent nearly six as its director.

He said: “I decided earlier in the year that it would be right for me to move on after helping to ensure a smooth transition from Christopher Meyer to Peta Buscombe.

“It has been a privilege to be part of an organisation which has adapted well to the challenges of media convergence and the changing legal environment, and it is gratifying that there is an ever-increasing demand and respect for the PCC’s range of services – from pre-publication action preventing intrusion to the negotiation of prominent corrections and apologies.

“The way in which the press is regulated will perhaps always divide opinion, but thanks to its brilliant and dedicated staff the PCC has a record of achievement of which any director would be proud”.

Chairman Baroness Buscombe said: “Tim told me in the early summer that he wanted to move on at the end of the year.

“I have enjoyed working with him over the last few months, and been most grateful to him for his support, but I do of course understand his reasons for wanting to explore other avenues.

“On behalf of the commission as a whole I would like to thank him for everything he has done for us, and wish him all the best for the future.”