The Observer has appointed its deputy editor Lucy Rock as print editor to report to Tortoise Media’s James Harding, who will be editor-in-chief. Tortoise has officially signed its deal buying the paper as it enters a transition period with a view to publishing in the spring…
Observer staff who don’t want to work under the new regime can apply for voluntary redundancy now until mid-January. Guido hears there is some disquiet on both sides of the fence over the deal. Tortoise’s offices have been mostly empty of senior staff this week while the ire of the entire organisation is levelled at Carole Cadwalladr’s campaign against the sale. There is some concern that Tortoise lacks requisite numbers of digital, operational, or marketing staff as it heads into the transition period. The Guardian has been in meltdown over the tortuous sale process as allegations of lying fly between hacks and senior management…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”