AIM magazine’s story earlier today forced Channel 4 to confirm its appointment of former MP Oona King as its new head of diversity.

Ms King will report directly to chief executive Andy Duncan when she starts in the spring of this year. Channel 4 will take stewardship of the much derided Cultural Diversity Network from this year and Oona King will help steering it forward.

In a statement today, she said: “Channel 4 has been an amazing platform for diverse voices and perspectives from across British society for more than a quarter of a century.”

“But there’s more work to be done to connect and reflect social minorities within mainstream broadcasting, and I’m very much looking forward to this challenge.”

Chief executive Andy Duncan added: “Oona has an impressive mix of experience. Her appointment signals our ambition to take the lead in helping broadcasting better reflect the diversity of modern Britain. I’m very hopeful that she can play a pivotal role in improving portrayal, attitudes and working practice not just at Channel 4 but right across the industry.”

Ms King is also a broadcaster and writer, and was a senior policy advisor to the Prime Minister on equalities and diversity.

She was the MP for Bethnal Green & Bow from 1997 to 2005, and her diaries were published by Bloomsbury in 2007.