Laura Kuenssberg 'in talks to step down' as BBC's political editor

Kuenssberg has been a staple in British politics for years

Laura Kuenssberg, whose face will be familiar to anyone who has watched a covid briefing, is allegedly in talks to step down as BBC political editor after six years. As part of a major reshuffle of senior staff members, it is believed Kuenssberg, 45, will become a presenter on the Today programme, reports the Guardian. https://twitter.com/madsaldridge/status/1451531560247828489 Though nothing is set in stone - and no time frame has been revealed - her departure would leave a vacant seat at one of the most prestigious news agencies in the world. The BBC political editor has almost unrivalled access, which is particularly poignant given the political climate. https://twitter.com/jhendy_10/status/1451307938606419981 Kuenssberg has covered two general elections, the Brexit referendum, the fall 0f Kabul and of course the ongoing covid crisis.

As part of the reshuffle, Jon Sopel is stepping down as North American editor and will be returning to the UK. It is believed that Sarah Smith, the current BBC Scotland editor, will replace Sopel in Washington DC.

https://twitter.com/nicksimpsonx/status/1451447525030965277 A BBC spokesperson said: “The North America editor role is currently being advertised internally and the role will go through the normal recruitment process; it’s a bit soon to start speculating about the outcome of this, let alone other jobs which aren’t actually vacant.” Because of his departure from the US, Sopel is pegged as Kuenssberg’s replacement. Back in 2015, it was also believed that Sopel would step into the role that eventually went to Kuenssberg as the first female editor.

Fellow television journalist Andrew Marr has been issued a fresh contract so he can continue his Sunday morning political interview show. Sources suggest that part of the reason for this is his work producing programmes that will be broadcast when the Queen dies.