AS reported as breaking news last night, The Scotsman editor is leaving, with immediate effect.
Says a statement issued by the paper, Mike Gilson has “relinquished his position”, though it has yet to be revealed as to why.
The statement, issued by the paper’s managing director, Michael Johnston, then only goes on to say: “Further announcements will be made in due course. The company has no other comment to make at this time.”
With sister title, Scotland on Sunday, soon losing its editor, Les Snowdon – to become sports editor at the Daily Mail – speculation is already rife that The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday titles might be brought together, at least under a single production system.
Having itself recently gone down the same route, The Herald is speculating that the three titles that comprise Scotsman Publications – The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News – will come under the leadership of a single editor-in-chief.
Says the paper: “It is understood Mr Gilson, who has been an editor of Johnston Press titles for more than 12 years, was unhappy with… restructure plans which are thought to include appointing one editor-in-chief.
“It is believed Edinburgh Evening News editor, john McLellan, is the leading contender.”
In December, Donald Martin was appointed editor-in-chief of The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times.
McLellan, a former Scotland on Sunday editor, is hugely experienced. The deputy at The Scotsman is former Evening News editor, Ian Stewart. The deputy editor and number three at Scotland on Sunday are Tom Little and Kenny Farquharson. The deputy at the Evening News is Jim Morrison.
