LBC’s longstanding Political Editor Theo Usherwood has announced he’s standing down for family reasons, leaving a gap at the top of the station’s news team. LBC has grown massively in the last few years, with Global willing to stump up serious cash for the likes of Andrew Marr, Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall. Not to mention the pocket change for David Lammy…

The question of who might replace Usherwood, or at least become the latest hack to join the Global roster on a lucrative contract, is already doing the rounds. An internal appointment is being considered. Guido hears Lewis Goodall was offered the role, although he’s turned it down because he’s much happier (and probably better remunerated) hosting the News Agents. Ben Kentish, considered a rising star and currently the station’s Westminster Editor, is also a potential candidate. Then there are the external options…

Kate Ferguson was reportedly in Global’s sights, although she only took on the Political Editor gig at the Sun on Sunday last summer. Martine Croxall, who presented her final BBC News bulletin last Friday, was spotted at the station’s Leicester Square headquarters recently – though she’s a newsreader, not a political reporter. She is, at least, looking for more work after being axed from the BBC News primary lineup. The biggest name Guido hears the top brass have an interest in, however, does have the requisite experience on the political beat. Sky’s Sam Coates was spotted by a co-conspirator in the Global offices this week, though when Guido called Sam he made it very clear he is not commenting… could he be after the big money broadcast / podcast package?

Sky’s Sam Coates on the state of Downing Street’s truth-telling:

“There are some suggestions we could get some kind of statement later today. As ever Downing St is saying that’s not true. But what they’ve said is not true has turned out to be not true so many times in the past that we can’t take that totally at face value.”

Some classic politician heckling from Sam Coates this lunchtime as the Cabinet arrived for their meeting in Stoke. All gave traditional evasive responses to Coates’s question about the latest swathe of No. 10 fines. Though Oliver Dowden wins first prize…

ITV’s Paul Brand was one of the favourites for the BBC Political Editor job on the back of his partygate scoops. Given he’s just announced that he is “Thrilled to be fronting the Tonight programme – UK’s most watched current affairs show – from April” Guido thinks we can rule him out of transferring to the BBC. He’ll be going head-to-head with Beth Rigby Interviews, which is kicking off on Sky News tomorrow night. Sky News’s Sam Coates has seen his odds lengthen dramatically at the bookies, so perhaps he is out of the running too. The field is narrowing…

Guido understands ITV’s deputy political editor Anushka Asthana (formerly political editor of the Guardian) is on the shortlist and is currently offered at even money at the bookies. Also said to be on the shortlist are Faisal Islam and Alex Forsyth – currently the BBC’s political correspondent.

According to one person who was in the running, the interview process has been arduous, with interviewees asked to improvise on the spot impromptu reports in front of the interviewing panel. The announcement as to who succeeds Laura Kuenssberg is expected next month…

Any members of staff at the Strand co-op not abreast of the news won’t know what’s hit them this morning. One detail from last night’s Telegraph partygate exclusive was that No. 10 staff, mid-party, had headed to get reserve booze supplies from the Co-op on the Strand, thus – in the words of Sky’s Rob Powell – making the Trafalgar supermarket branch the “Woking Pizza Express of this whole affair”. 

The Guardian’s Jim Waterson has already inquired how late the alcohol licence is for the store, “asking for a friend with a suitcase”, with ‘Cat’ replying from the official supermarket Twitter account that “Good news – it 24 hours.” Contrary to the Co-op’s claim however, Sky’s Sam Coates turned up at 9.24 to find booze not available for purchase.

Ummm @coopuk - 9:46am but the suitcase would be empty pic.twitter.com/mpDtDstdJH

— Sam Coates Sky (@SamCoatesSky) January 14, 2022

In another tweet, Cat from the Co-Op confirmed that only compostable bags are available, it’s “bring your own suitcase”…

Sam Coates clearly had his Weetabix this morning…