BBC Scotland has promoted one of its most senior journalists to the vacant post of head of news and current affairs.
John Boothman succeeds Atholl Duncan, who left just after the Scottish Elections to take on a role with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
Says a BBC statement: “John Boothman has worked in a variety of senior roles within news and current affairs over a 26-year career at the BBC and has been particularly involved in the production of political programming following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.
“Latterly he has been Editor of Newsgathering, and among his credits during that time was winning Royal Television Society Scoop of the Year for 2010, as producer of the story which detailed the release of Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbasset al-Megrahi. He also executive produced the BAFTA Scotland-nominated Wasted Nation documentary and debate programme in 2009.
“During his previous roles as Editor of Elections and Political Output, he oversaw coverage and result programmes of four Scottish elections, three General Elections, two European Parliament elections along with annual coverage of Scottish party political conferences.
“He was also editor for a number of high-profile TV specials including the Royal Openings of the new Scottish Parliament and produced Reporting Scotland for several years.”
The statement quotes Boothman, as saying: “This is a hugely interesting time for news and current affairs in Scotland and I’m looking forward to ensuring that BBC Scotland continues to deliver it across all our platforms and for all our audiences.”
