Craig Oliver, Controller of English at BBC Global News and a former editor of BBC News at Six and Ten, has been chosen as the new Director of Government Communications for David Cameron.

Following the resignation of Andy Coulson last month, citing pressure following from the coverage of the News of the World phone hacking scandal, Cameron has appointed Oliver, an experienced broadcast journalist, to step into the role.

Coulson’s last role for No 10 was to find his replacement, and arranged for Oliver, who isn’t a member of the Conservative party, to meet Cameron and Osborne over the weekend. It is understood this was the first time that Oliver had met the prime minister.

Oliver resigned from his position at the BBC after accepting the government position. He told the BBC that it was difficult to leave, but that he couldn't turn down the opportunity to join Cameron's team.

Broadcasting has long been perceived as a weakness in Cameron's and the Conservative Party's communications. Oliver will bring experience in this area, but also acknowledged earlier the role of print media in his new job.

- Andy Coulson quits as No.10 comms chief (Communicate magazine, January 2011)