A top former civil servant is set to conduct a review into the press watchdog.

The Independent Press Standards Organisation has announced Sir Bill Jeffrey will conduct the second external review of the independence and effectiveness.

The review will examine and report on how effectively IPSO is fulfilling its role as regulator of the UK newspaper, magazine and digital news industries, including its arrangements for assessing and responding to complaints.

It will also look at whether IPSO has been faithful to its publicly stated principles and values and consider how its regulation has adapted to changes in its external environment, as well as how it should prepare for the future.

Sir Bill, pictured, said: “The arrangements for regulating the press, including the handling of complaints, are vital elements of any democratic society.

“I am very much looking forward to getting to grips with IPSO and its work, and hope all with an interest in the matter will engage positively with my review.”

Sir Bill served as political director in the Northern Ireland Office from 1998 to 2002 and was security and intelligence coordinator at the time of the 7 July terror attacks on London in July 2005.

He was permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence from 2005 until his retirement in November 2010.

Sir Bill was selected by IPSO’s independent appointment panel, chaired by Lord Triesman.

The review will begin on Monday 3 October, and its report is expected to be published early in 2023.

Lord Faulks, chairman of IPSO, said: “We are pleased that Sir Bill Jeffrey has agreed to take on the task of providing this important external and fully independent scrutiny of IPSO’s work.

“He brings a wealth of organisational leadership experience, which will be invaluable to this review and to the regulation of the press and the promotion of highest standards of reporting. We encourage people to engage with this important work.”