Britain's ambassador in Washington to be new chairman of PCC

Sir Christopher Meyer, Britain's ambassador to the United States, is to be the new chairman of the Press Complaints Commission.

Sir Christopher, who was chief press secretary to John Major when he was Prime Minister, moves to the PCC at a time when the organisation is under particular scrutiny over its dealings with Downing Street. The last high-profile complaint to the PCC – later withdrawn – came from Tony Blair, encouraged by Sir Christopher's successor at Number 10 Alastair Campbell, over newspaper reporting of the Black Rod affair.

Sir Christopher, 58, is expected to take up his new role in the spring of 2003, subject to the approval of the Foreign Secretary under the rules covering business appointments, the Press Standards Board of Finance announced. He said: "I am delighted to have been asked to become the next chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. I am a strong believer in the self-regulation of the newspaper and magazine publishing industry.

"I look forward to taking on this challenging and exciting task next year. I do not intend to comment further until then."

Sir Christopher takes over from Lord Wakeham, who quit as PCC chairman earlier this year because of his involvement with the stricken US energy company Enron. Professor Robert Pinker, the PCC's privacy commissioner, has been acting chairman while the search for a replacement was conducted. Sir Harry Roche, chairman of Pressbof, which oversees the PCC, said: "I and my colleagues in the industry are delighted that a person of the calibre of Sir Christopher has accepted Pressbof's invitation to take up the position."

Sir Christopher, a Cambridge-educated career diplomat, has been ambassador to the US since 1997. He joined the Diplomatic Service in 1966.

Downing Street yesterday dismissed as "totally without foundation" reports that Peter Mandelson could be a candidate to replace Sir Christopher in Washington.