Broadcaster and politician Trevor Phillips has been named as the new head of the Commission for Racial Equality.

Mr Phillips - who is currently the Labour chairman of the London Assembly - will take on one of the toughest and most high-profile jobs in the field of race relations.

The 48-year-old said he welcomed the challenge of "rooting out racism and discrimination in all its forms".

He replaces Gurbux Singh, who resigned from the position after threatening police officers at a cricket match.

He will have to develop a rhinoceros skin in order to deal with the criticism and complaints Lord Ouseley Former CRE chairman

Shadow Deputy Prime Minister David Davis said Mr Phillips was one of "Tony's cronies", whose appointment undermined the political neutrality of the CRE.

A Home Office spokesperson dismissed the allegation as "rubbish".

London Mayor Ken Livingstone congratulated Mr Phillips on his new job, but said his likely departure from the London Assembly would halve the number of its black members.

'Significant challenges'

The post was awarded to Mr Phillips, who is considered a Blairite, after he was selected from among more than 100 applicants.

The appointment is for four years and carries a salary of nearly �100,000 a year for a four day week.

There are few more significant challenges in our society

Click here for a profile of Trevor Phillips

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "Mr Phillips will play a vital part in bringing about real and lasting change, providing the leadership and vision to help achieve race equality across the UK."

Mr Blunkett chose Mr Phillips above Zahida Manzoor, a former head of the Northern and Yorkshire region of the NHS executive and Naaz Coker, the chairwoman of the Refugee Council.

Lord Herman Ouseley, a former chairman of the CRE, said Mr Phillips could expect to face demands from people from all walks of life.

"There is no escaping the problems that are already waiting and piling up on his desk and he will have to develop a rhinoceros skin in order to deal with the criticism and complaints," he said.

Best man

Mr Phillips is a former president of the National Union of Students.

At one time he entered the race to win the Labour nomination for its candidate for London mayor and eventually ran as Frank Dobson's deputy.

Gurbux Singh argued with police at a cricket match

He also asked Peter Mandelson to be his best man at his wedding.

Mr Phillips lists his special interests as arts and culture, democracy, health, housing and social inclusion.

Following his appointment he said: "There are few more significant challenges in our society and I look forward to working with the commissioners and staff of a rejuvenated CRE."

But David Davis said: "For an organisation such as the CRE to have a chance of working well, it must be seen to be focused solely on its task and absolutely politically neutral."

A Home Office spokesperson said Mr Phillips' appointment was made after a "fair and open competition", following the independent Nolan process "to the letter".

"This is rubbish. The recruitment process has been rigorous throughout and the appointment was made on merit alone," said the spokesperson.

Good relations

Mr Phillip's new job involves advising the government on its policies and leading investigations into organisations accused of discrimination.

Other key tasks are promoting good relations between people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds and monitoring the way the Race Relations Act is working.

The CRE was set up in 1976 and although it is maintained by a Home Office grant its role is independent.

It can provide legal advice and assistance to people who think they have been discriminated against.

Mr Blunkett said: "It is imperative that in these current times, we maintain good race relations and social cohesion so that we can take advantage of the contribution that all communities make to society."

Gurbux Singh resigned from the job after abusing police outside Lord's cricket ground in July of last year.

He was taken to court and pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and fined �500.