FORMER NEWS OF the World editor Colin Myler is to join the New York Daily News as its editor-in-chief, BBC News reports today.

Myler was the last person to hold the top job at the now-defunct News of the World after succeeding Andy Coulson in 2007.

He was at the helm when the phone hacking scandal erupted last year following revelations that the newspaper was involved in the hacking of missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler’s phone.

Although he was not in charge at the time of the hacking, he has been criticised for heading up a cover-up operation, including pay-outs to numerous celebrities.

Myler’s new role as top editor of the Daily News tabloid puts him in direct competition with his old boss as Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post -where incidentally he used to work – is the paper’s biggest rival.

The Liverpudlian replaces Kevin Convey at the Mort Zuckerman-owned Daily News, which has a circulation of about 600,000 – beating the NY Post by about 90,000 units.

In reporting the change of leadership at its rival, the New York Post said Myler will be entering a “deeply divided and demoralised newsroom” when he takes over on 10 January.

Myler told the Guardian that there is a touch of irony about his new position but added that he was looking forward to getting back to work after being laid off in July.

“It’s going to be fun,” he said.