Kim Howells: Best person will get job

Among the other favourites reported to be in the frame are Mr Mellor's former cabinet colleague Michael Portillo and Baroness Hogg, wife of former foreign affairs minister, Douglas Hogg.

Speculation over the post of vice-chairman comes after the appointment of previous incumbent Gavyn Davies as BBC chairman.

Like director general Greg Dyke, Davies is known for his connections with Labour and there have been accusations of cronyism from the Tory Party.

Mr Davies is known for his support of Labour

When questioned about the possibility of a Tory vice-chairman, Mr Howells added: "I've seen it so often in quangos, especially in Wales, where political positions have been responsible for the lousy public services we've had.

"They've been appointed because of political bent, not talent. I wouldn't want to see a Labour government guilty of that."

Football

A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport sought to play down his comments.

"Kim clearly said that the job will be given to the best person for the job," she said.

The vice-chairman's post was publicly advertised on Sunday.

David Mellor, former MP for Putney, lost his seat in the 1997 election following a sex scandal which also cost him his marriage.

He is currently head of the government's football taskforce and is a former presenter of BBC Radio 5 Live's 606 football programme.

Michael Portillo: Favoured by former Culture Secretary Chris Smith

He is said to be the favoured choice of Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Mr Mellor himself is saying nothing. At his London office a spokeswoman said: "He is not commenting to anyone about this."

Former Culture Secretary Chris Smith has backed Michael Portillo for the position of vice-chairman.

Mr Smith, writing in The Observer, said he believed a Tory should be appointed to balance the political power.