Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands named editor of 'Today' programme

Sarah Sands said 'the strategy is... to delegitimise the BBC'

Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands has been named the new editor of BBC Radio 4's 'Today' programme.

Ms Sands has been editor of the London newspaper for five years.

In a message to staff on Monday, Evening Standard owner Evgeny Lebedev said: "The London Evening Standard has been a huge success under Sarah's editorship, and she has been a vital part of the team since this company acquired the Standard in 2009.

"Sarah will leave with our very best wishes for her new role."

Ms Sands said: "I am grateful to Evgeny for his support of this newspaper and guarding it against all the head winds of the industry.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to work for him and to be part of a first-rate professional team."

Ms Sands will leave the Evening Standard later this year. The paper said a new editor will be appointed in due course.