Emma Barnett on BBC Newsnight
(Picture: BBC)Emma Barnett, the host of BBC’s Newsnight, is leaving the programme, she has announced.
The broadcaster, who became one of Newsnight’s regular presenters in March 2019, said she was leaving the show in order to dedicate time to other projects.
Announcing the news on Twitter on Friday, the 36-year-old said: “After 3 very enjoyable years presenting Newsnight, I have made the decision to leave the programme.
“This is in part due to my role fronting Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, which I’m thrilled to say is reaching more listeners than ever, and I have many more plans for.
“It is also because there are other projects in the pipeline to which I wish to dedicate more attention.”
The journalist, who has been the main presenter of Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour since January last year, added: “The biggest thanks go to my editors, the endlessly energetic team, my guests, and of course, our viewers. It’s been an absolute blast”.
Barnett confirmed she made her final appearance on the show earlier this week, where she grilled business minister Paul Scully after Sue Gray published an abridged report into allegations of lockdown of parties.
She won praise from some viewers after taking a tough line to Mr Scully after he suggested that they couldn’t spend “the entirety of your programme talking about” reaction to Partygate.
Barnett replied: “You don’t get to edit Newsnight''.
She first joined the Newsnight team in 2019 amid a reshuffle of presenting staff, which saw Emily Maitlis promoted to lead host following the departure of Evan Davis.
