Mardell takes on Europe role

Mardell is moving from Westminster to cover Europe for the BBC

BBC chief political correspondent Mark Mardell is quitting Westminster to pick up "a hot potato" in Brussels.

He has been appointed Europe editor, a new role designed to enhance the audiences' understanding of the European Union and its institutions.

The larger than life character, author of How to Make it as a TV Presenter, took over his current role from Andrew Marr, introducing a new and, some might say, rather dishevelled-looking style.

He is looking forward "with relish" to the latest challenge, adding: "I am delighted to be taking on the role at a time when the future of the European Union is clearly one of the big news stories."

But it is not an easy beat. It was Fran Unsworth, BBC head of newsgathering, who earlier this year described Europe as "a hot potato".

She said: "It's picture-thin... and the public don't know the personalities."