Andrew Marr backs Vicki Young for BBC political editor role 

BBC presenter Andrew Marr backs Laura Kuenssberg’s number two Vicki Young for political editor role

  • Laura Kuenssberg is rumoured to be in talks to step down as BBC political editor
  • Veteran presenter Andrew Marr has backed deputy Vicki Young as replacement
  • Others in running for the job include Jon Sopel, Amol Rajan and James Landale
  • Ms Kuenssberg is believed to be interested in Today programme presenting role


BBC presenter Andrew Marr wants the Corporation’s deputy political editor Vicki Young to replace Laura Kuenssberg.

While Jon Sopel, the BBC’s North America correspondent, has been seen as the favourite to be the next political editor, Mr Marr – who held the influential post himself for five years – said Ms Young is a ‘real talent’.

‘I don’t have any inside knowledge but I think Vicki Young, the current deputy political editor should get it,’ he said.

‘I think she would be brilliant, she is a real talent and it would be great to see her in the job.’

BBC presenter Andrew Marr wants the Corporation’s deputy political editor Vicki Young to replace Laura Kuenssberg

‘I don’t have any inside knowledge but I think Vicki Young, the current deputy political editor should get it,’ said veteran presenter Andrew Marr

‘I don’t have any inside knowledge but I think Vicki Young, the current deputy political editor should get it,’ said veteran presenter Andrew Marr

It was rumoured earlier this month that Ms Kuenssberg, 45, was in talks to step down after six years, possibly to take a presenting role on Radio 4’s Today programme.

Ms Young, who attended Truro High School for Girls before studying at New Hall, Cambridge, was promoted to be deputy political editor in October 2020 after 25 years of service at the BBC.

Her career at the BBC began as a reporter at BBC Wales before joining the One O’Clock News as a political correspondent.

It was rumoured earlier this month that Ms Kuenssberg, 45, was in talks to step down after six years, possibly to take a presenting role on Radio 4’s Today programme

It was rumoured earlier this month that Ms Kuenssberg, 45, was in talks to step down after six years, possibly to take a presenting role on Radio 4’s Today programme

Ms Young was then a correspondent for BBC Breakfast from 2008 to 2011 and in 2015, Young was promoted to the role of BBC News’ chief political correspondent which was in response to Norman Smith’s promotion to assistant political editor.

In 2014, she served as a sit-in reporter for Daily Politics and has also reported for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live.

Mr Sopel is rumoured to be leaving the US to return to the UK, though he insists it is to write a book.

Other BBC staff who have been tipped for the role include media editor Amol Rajan, diplomatic editor James Landale and Any Questions host Chris Mason.

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