New head for classification board

The BBFC recently gave film Stepford Wives a 12A certificate

Senior civil servant David Cooke has been named new director of the British Board of Film Classification.

Mr Cooke, 48, who previously helped set up the Broadcasting Standards Council, will take over from Robin Duval when he retires in September.

"As a regular film-goer... I am delighted to be bringing my regulatory experience to the post of director at the BBFC," he said.

The BBFC classifies more than 14,000 films and videos a year.

Mr Cooke said it was important for the BBFC to listen to public concerns about film classification.

Controversial

"It is vital for the classification process to be independent, fair and open; to command public confidence; and to be responsive to social concerns," he said.

One of his first jobs will be to award a certificate to Michael Winterbottom's sexually explicit film, Nine Songs.

The BBFC said in May that the film would not be subject to any special criteria.

"We don't normally allow depictions of unsimulated sex in an 18 film, unless they can be exceptionally justified by the context of the film," said Craig Lapper, the board's chief assistant in charge of policy.

Mr Cooke joined the Civil Service in 1977 - his most recent role was as associate political director of the Northern Ireland Office.