David Cracknell

Former Sunday Times political editor David Cracknell is to leave his role at the lobbying company he joined just three months ago.

The 39-year-old agreed to join lobbying firm FD-LLM – where has had a dual role, also acting as one of numerous managing directors of parent City public relations giant FD – late last year.

The news was revealed by ePolitix.com sister publication Public Affairs News on Wednesday.

His decision to leave one of the top posts in political journalism for PR came as a surprise to both the journalistic and lobbying community at the time.

Confirming his departure, Cracknell said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with FD and FD-LLM and I am very grateful to them for the opportunities that have arisen during my time here, including helping to win the post-nationalisation Northern Rock account."

He added: "The valuable time spent here has opened my eyes to a number of opportunities outside the firm which it would not be possible to take up were I to continue.

"FD has been kind enough to release me and I am very grateful for that. I will stay in touch and would not rule out working with FD again. I would personally like to thank [FD group chief executive] Charles Watson for all the support he has given me and I wish him and FD the very best for the future."

Watson said: "I am sorry to report that David Cracknell has decided to move on to other things after completing a number of highly valuable assignments, including helping to win the prestigious post-nationalisation Northern Rock account.

"I would like to thank David for the significant insights and value he has added to the firm during his time here. He leaves us with the very best of wishes for the future and I hope that one day we might work again together."