Michael Gove has been appointed as editor of The Spectator magazine after its takeover by Sir Paul Marshall, the GB News co-owner, The Telegraph can reveal.

The controversial former Cabinet minister will begin his new job on Oct 4 just over three months after he stood down as an MP. It means he will be at the helm of the magazine known as the “Tory Bible” as the Conservative Party leadership election reaches its climax.

He will take over from Fraser Nelson, who has achieved record print circulation figures during his 15 years in the job as well as making a success of its digital subscription strategy.

It was also announced that Lord Moore, a former editor of The Spectator and The Telegraph, will become The Spectator’s non-executive chairman, replacing Andrew Neil.