The Mirror’s Political Editor job is prized for aspirational, resourceful and, most importantly, pro-Labour hacks. As revealed by Guido, John Stevens’ two-year stint has come to and end with his transfer into government – which leaves the title in need of a new scoop-getter. Runners and riders currently within the Mirror family are highlighted in red…

• Lizzy Buchan – Mirror Deputy Political Editor. The frontrunner to replace Stevens.
• Mikey Smith – former Whitehall Correspondent and current Sunday Deputy Political Editor at the Mirror. Respected – through gritted teeth among Tories – for his acerbic style. Labour should provide no end of material for his favourite transparency and sleaze scoops…
• Ben Glaze – former Deputy Political Editor for five and a half years under Pippa Crerar, currently consulting for advisory firm Sodali & Co. Will Glaze be in consideration for a return to the fold?
• Kevin Schofield – political editor at the financially struggling HuffPo. He worked for the Scottish sister paper the Daily Record, might he fancy a return to the Mirror group?
• Lewis Goodall: Has The News Agents presenter yet got tired of explaining actual reality to grandad Sopel and mad giddy-aunt Emily? The former BBC left-winger is a well-known broadcast face with a biting style. Could Lewis be tempted to jump the Global ship? Can the Mirror afford him?
• James Heale: This might seem a bit of a right-field idea, bear with Guido. Yes, he’s currently The Spectator’s political correspondent and diary editor, Heale is known to be angling for a political editor position. Equipped with a strong news sense and an eye for a scoop, he’d be making an ideological jump into the unknown. The Mirror is no stranger to a surprise choice…

While plans are being formed the current expectation among sources is that Lizzie will act as pol ed through conference season while a proper appointment process is set up and carried out. An internal hire is widely expected given the Mirror’s notoriously low pay…

According to Labour sources a new SpAd is about to enter Downing Street – John Stevens, the current Mirror political editor, is leaving the Lobby to spin for the government. Stevens is going to work for Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Labour heavyweight Pat McFadden…

No stranger to a scoop, Stevens will have to fend off his Lobby colleagues from inside government. From memory the last Mirror political editor to make the jump to Downing Street was Bad Al Campbell, the jury is out on how well that went.  Guido has approached Stevens for comment…

UPDATE: Move confirmed.

Well, he wasn’t on Guido’s runners and riders list. Daily Mail deputy political editor John Stevens has announced he’s the new Mirror political editor, replacing Pippa Crerar who is shortly to depart for The Guardian. He starts this Autumn.

Some news...

I'm thrilled to announce I've been appointed Political Editor of the Daily Mirror, following in the footsteps of the legend @PippaCrerar

I cannot wait to join the Mirror's brilliant Westminster team this autumn, working with @MirrorAlison and @JBeattieMirror

— John Stevens (@johnestevens) July 13, 2022

Congratulations John, though Guido might give doing a Mail deputy pol ed runners and riders a miss…