The government's media officials are to be investigated over the spin rows of last year.

Downing Street announced on Thursday that it had agreed to a recommendation by MPs for a probe of the Government Information Service.

The Commons public administration committee had called for the investigation following its research into the circumstances of the resignations by Martin Sixsmith and Jo Moore last year.

The investigation will be headed by Bob Phillis who is chief executive of the Guardian media group and his report will be sent to Cabinet Office minister Douglas Alexander.

Number 10 said the rest of the team will be made up of people from "both inside and outside" government and refuted claims that Alastair Campbell, the prime minister's spin chief, had considered heading the review.