John Whittingdale loses ministerial post

John Whittingdale is leaving his post as minister for media and data in the wake of the government’s cabinet reshuffle.  

The member of parliament for Maldon took to Twitter this morning (16 September) to announce his departure.

This followed Nadine Dorries’ appointment as culture secretary, replacing Oliver Dowden.  

Whittingdale is the architect of the DCMS’ plans to privatise Channel 4, and he leaves just days after the department closed its consultation into a potential sale.  

“I am sorry to be stepping down as minister for media and data and saying goodbye to a great team of ministers and officials,” Whittingdale wrote on Twitter. “It has been a privilege to play a part in shaping the future of UK public service broadcasting and in reforming our data laws using our new Brexit freedom.”

Whitingdale stepped in at the eleventh hour to deliver an RTS Cambridge keynote yesterday, replacing Dowden. he told delegates indies would be protected regardless of what happens to C4.

Dorries has not yet stated her views on C4 but the government has already engaged investment bank JP Morgan to explore options for its future.

Whittingdale first joined the media select committee into 2005 when he was appointed chairman. During his tenure he oversaw investigations into the News of the World phone hacking scandal.  

He was appointed culture secretary in 2015 by David Cameron serving just one year in post before being dismissed by Theresa May. Whittingdale returned to the DCMS in February 2020 but as a minster for state.