A former legal chief has been appointed to the Independent Press Standards Organisation’s lay-majority board.

IPSO has announced the appointment of Sarah Lee, former partner at Slaughter and May.

Sarah, pictured, served as head of the disputes and investigations group at the London firm.

She was appointed by the independent IPSO Appointments Panel, chaired by Sir Hayden Phillips.

Sarah said: “Public confidence in the role of IPSO in maintaining the highest editorial standards and freedom of expression is even more critical in these times of immense change and I’m delighted to be joining the IPSO board.”

IPSO chairman Lord Faulks added: “I am pleased to welcome Sarah to the IPSO board.

“Her wealth of experience will bring an invaluable perspective to IPSO’s work as we continue to be a source of accountability, independence and fair regulation for the UK press.”