Former Times editor James Harding has been appointed head of BBC News.

He replaces Helen Boaden, who was in charge when the Jimmy Savile scandal erupted.

Mr Harding, who edited the paper for five years before leaving last year, starts in the £340,000-a-year role in August.

Ms Boaden was director of news for eight-and-a-half years but had to step aside for a spell in the wake of the Savile investigations before moving to become director of BBC Radio. Mr Harding will head the news division, which employs more than 8000 staff.