A Cabinet minister has failed to deny “behind-the-scenes conversations” to line up two outspoken right-wing critics of the BBC for crucial broadcasting jobs.
Paul Dacre, the former Daily Mail editor, is tipped to become chairman of broadcasting regulator Ofcom – while Charles Moore, a former Daily Telegraph editor, is favoured for the post of BBC chairman.
The appointments would be hugely controversial, one Tory backbencher admitting he would welcome them because the two men “are Conservatives”.
Asked if talks had taken place, Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, said only: “Of course I have conversations with people all the time.”
And he stressed the choices were Boris Johnson’s to make, after vetting for suitability by an independent panel in the case of the Ofcom boss.
“Whoever is deemed appointable, the choice will be put to ministers and ministers will make that decision,” Mr Dowden told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme.
Mr Dacre is believed to have been wooed by Johnson over drinks in Downing Street, while Lord Moore was handed a peerage by the prime minister last month.
The peer’s appointment is believed to be close despite his admission that he does not watch TV and his past refusal to pay the licence fee, in a dispute over a presenter.
Mr Dowden denied jobs had been formally offered, saying: “There is a formal process. It is not my role to offer them a job.”