Chris Blackhurst, who recently called on the Charity Commission to force charity mergers, has been appointed editor of The Independent.

Blackhurst joins the paper from his role as City editor and columnist with the London Evening Standard. In his new role he will edit the Independent and its smaller companion i.

In May, Blackhurst told MPs at a Public Administration Select Committee meeting that the Charity Commission should act more like an “FSA for the charity sector” and force consolidations when necessary.

The Charity Commission responded in a statement which said it was not within its statutory remit to compel charities to merge.