New Lottery chairman 'within days'

Dame Helena Shovelton quit as commission chairman

A replacement Lottery Commission chairman will be appointed within days, according to Culture Secretary Chris Smith.

Mr Smith has pledged to get the troubled process to award the next licence to run the lottery back on track.

He has been criticised over the way rival bids to stage the lottery - from current operators Camelot and Sir Richard Branson's People's Lottery - have been handled by the Lottery Commission.

Chris Smith: The draw must go on

Former chairman Dame Helena Shovelton resigned after the commission's decision to exclude Camelot from further negotiations was overturned by a high court judge.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, Mr Smith pledged that Dame Helena's successor would be appointed within days.

And he said that delays in awarding the contract should not result in the suspension of the lottery, while a new operator prepares to take over.

Some fear that the weekly draw may have to be shut down, while a new operator works to install new equipment in thousands of retail outlets.

"There must be no question of any pause in the running of the National Lottery," said Mr Smith.

"That would be bad news for the good causes and bad news for the millions who play the lottery each week."

He added that there should be no political interference in the bidding process, while ordering commissioners to consider the rival bids with "absolute impartiality".

While in opposition, Labour once promised to deliver a profit-free lottery, similar to that proposed by Virgin tycoon Sir Richard's consortium.