A HENLEY man was today appointed director-general of the BBC.

Tony Hall, of New Street, is the chief executive of the Royal Opera House and the BBC’s former director of news.

BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten said Lord Hall was “the right person to lead the BBC out of its current crisis”.

His journalism experience would be “invaluable” as the BBC looked to rebuild its reputation.

Lord Hall replaces Tim Davie, from Peppard, who has been acting director-general for the past two weeks following the resignation of George Entwistle after just 54 days in the job.

Mr Entwistle quit on November 10 after a Newsnight report led to Lord McAlpine, the brother of Sir William McAlpine of Fawley, being wrongly accused of child abuse.

Lord Hall is the father of William Hall, who represents Henley South on South Oxfordshire District Council.

His son said: “I am incredibly proud of my brilliant dad.”

Published 22/11/12