Downing Street has confirmed that a former political secretary to John Major will be the new government communications chief.

Howell James will become the first permanent secretary for the Government Information and Communications Service (GICS), in line with the recommendations of the independent Phillis review.

Coming back from the private sector, he will direct the work of civil service communications specialists, while Number 10 spin chief David Hill will handle political work.

James, who has also worked for the BBC, will earn between £121,000 and £203,000 on the civil service pay scale and report to the Cabinet secretary.

The government had hoped his experience under a Conservative government would refute accusations of politicisation of the GICS.

However the appointment has been criticised over James' involvement with the controversial Hinduja brothers and his links to Blair allies Peter Mandelson and John Birt.

'Culture of spin'

Ahead of the announcement the Tories said it was "a strange way to try and end the culture of spin in