Martin Shipton from the Western Mail newspaper said Mr Jones would be a suitable candidate for the role.

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The full council failed to elect a leader and parties have been in talks to find a suitable candidate.

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In fact, the committee expressed surprise that Lord Patten's knowledge of the BBC's output on television and radio was limited, but considered him a suitable candidate for the post.

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"However, having questioned Lord Patten, we consider him a suitable candidate for the post and we look forward to working with him in the future, " the MPs' report added.

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In a press briefing at Silverstone on Friday, he also claimed it would be impossible for disaffected teams to find a suitable candidate to run against him as FIA head by October's deadline.

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He happened to sit next to the chairman of a constituency association looking for a candidate and suggested the future Lady Thatcher might be suitable.

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