Outgoing Scott Trust chair Liz Forgan has this afternoon emailed Guardian staff informing them of the selection process to replace Alan Rusbridger. Forgan says “For the first time in Guardian history we will be openly advertising the role,” stressing that they are looking outside of North London:

“Both internal and external candidates, from any journalistic background, from any country in the world, will be welcome to apply. The role will be advertised and opened for applications before the end of this year. The Scott Trust will give equal consideration to all plausible candidates and will meet a longlist of applicants in February 2015.”

Guardian staff get a vote on who they want to edit them, but Forgan only says it is her “intention” to put their preferred candidate on the final shortlist, somewhat pissing on their quinoa:

“the opinion of the Guardian and Observer’s editorial staff is important, and it has been indicated to The Scott Trust that the Guardian and Observer chapel branch of the National Union of Journalists will conduct a ballot to select a candidate they wish to be considered. The terms of this ballot are for the chapel to confirm, but it is The Scott Trust’s intention to guarantee the selected candidate a place on the final shortlist… Our editorial staff are very important stakeholders in this process – but they are not the decision makers. We will take the results of the NUJ process into careful consideration when making the final appointment, but this is not an election process. The next editor-in-chief will be appointed by The Scott Trust, not voted in by the newsroom.”

Sit down and shut up, comrades…