Robert Winnett, a British journalist who was on dock to become The Washington Post‘s lead editor, has withdrawn from the role, the paper’s publisher and chief executive Will Lewis told staff on Friday morning.
The journalistic integrity of Winnett, who will remain in his position at London’s Telegraph, was called into question in a front page expose in the Post, alleging that he had used materials from a self-described “thief” while reporting. Lewis is facing his own series of journalistic ethics questions for his alleged role in helping Rupert Murdoch cover up for senior executives in a UK phone hacking scandal. Lewis denies the allegations.
Washington Post‘s staff have reportedly been concerned over the newspaper’s direction, with some employees searching for work elsewhere. Owner Jeff Bezos sent a memo to newsroom leadership last week emphasizing his commitment to “very high” standards, but hasn’t done anything to address employees’ growing worries.
Lewis told staff that he plans to start the search immediately for a new editor. A former Wall Street Journal editor, Matt Murray, will stay in his interim editor role until another candidate is found.
