Perspectives

The dateline was right; it was entirely appropriate to host the late BBC1 News Bulletin from Washington. But the 'new face' and American accent of Sumi Somaskanda will have come as a distraction to many weekend viewers. It was a full minute before we got to Reeta Chakrabarti. 

Sumi has been with the BBC in Washington just over a year, mainly presenting World News America. BBC North America Editor Sarah Smith presented Newsnight Scotland, and would have been entirely capable of telling the story and hosting.