PCC director to step down after 13 years at regulatory body

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Tim Toulmin is to step down as director of the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) after six years in the position.

His departure follows that of the commission's chairman, Sir Christopher Meyer, who left in March 2009 and was replaced by Peta Buscombe .

Toulmin first joined the newspaper industry's self-regulatory body as a graduate 13 years ago. In a press release, he said he made his decision to leave earlier this year, after helping with the handover from Meyer to Buscombe.

"It has been a privilege to be part of an organisation which has adapted well to the challenges of media convergence and the changing legal environment, and it is gratifying that there is an ever-increasing demand and respect for the PCC's range of services - from pre-publication action preventing intrusion to the negotiation of prominent corrections and apologies," he said in the release .

"The way in which the press is regulated will perhaps always divide opinion, but thanks to its brilliant and dedicated staff the PCC has a record of achievement of which any director would be proud."

But the PCC's achievements are not praised by all: it has been attacked by critics such as Guardian journalist Nick Davies ; and was the subject of a damning report led by the Media Standards Trust in February 2009.

Last month it was announced that a review led by an outgoing PCC board member will examine whether transparency in the system can be enhanced and whether the independent systems of accountability can be improved.

The media ethics charity MediaWise, while welcoming of a review, was sceptical that it would be led by an outgoing board member.

The House of Commons media, culture and sport select committee will review the PCC as part of its investigation into press standards, privacy and libel.

Toulmin has twice given evidence in parliament this year: f irstly as part of the planned review

and again during the committee's inquiry into phone hacking at News of the World , where he defended the PCC's investigation at News International in 2007.

A replacement for Toulmin will be advertised for shortly, with interviews planned for October, Peta Buscombe confirmed today. Interviews will be conducted by a panel appointed by the PCC board.