Emily Maitlis to lead all-female Newsnight team

Newsnight is to have an all-female line-up for the first time, with Emily Maitlis promoted to lead presenter.

Emma Barnett, the BBC Radio 5 Live host, will join the BBC Two current affairs programme, and Kirsty Wark completes the team.

The line-up has been reshuffled following the departure in the autumn of Evan Davis, who moved to Radio 4’s PM programme.

Esme Wren, Newsnight editor, said: “This is a tremendous presenter line-up that sends out a clear signal about the programme’s growing ambition. All three presenters bring substantial political clout and a wealth of expertise across a broad range of subjects.

“Emily’s promotion to lead presenter is testament to the journalistic excellence, passion and tenacious interview style that saw her recognised as Network Presenter of the Year at the recent RTS Television Journalism Awards.

“Kirsty, also an award-winning journalist and presenter, will continue to bring her great authority and forensic skills to an increased number of shows, and to drive the programme’s commitment to the arts and culture.

“And we’re also thrilled to welcome Emma, whose formidable skill as an interviewer and no-nonsense approach further strengthens the programme’s agenda-setting impact.”

Maitlis was shortlisted last year for the role of Question Time host, which eventually went to Fiona Bruce. She will present the programme from Monday to Wednesday.

She said: "I am delighted to be moving into this role at a time when Newsnight feels so pivotal to our understanding of this extraordinary moment in British history, and to be working with such an exceptional team."

Wark, a Newsnight presenter for 25 years, will present more programmes per year than she did previously, taking on the majority of Thursday and Friday editions.

The BBC has moved to promote women into senior on-air roles since 2017, when it was forced by government to disclose the salaries of all presenters earning £150,000 or more. The list revealed a substantial gender pay gap, with the top seven earners all male.

High-earning men in the news and current affairs department accepted wage cuts, including John Humphrys and Jeremy Vine, while some women were offered raises.

Maitlis is one of the highest female earners, with a salary of £220,000-£229,9999 in the last published list of BBC accounts.

Earlier this week it was announced that Gardeners’ Question Time on Radio 4 is to have the first female chair in the programme’s history, with Kathy Clugston replacing Eric Robson.