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December 13, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 9:57pm

Lawyer is made new Guardian reader’s editor

By Press Gazette

The Guardian’s top lawyer – Siobhain Butterworth – has been appointed to the job of reader’s editor.

She will succeed Ian Mayes when he steps down in March next year after 10 years in the job to write the third volume of the Guardian’s official history.

Scott Trust chair Liz Forgan said: "The Guardian readers' editor, a role established with great distinction by Ian Mayes, has become an emblem of the relationship of trust between the Guardian and its readers.

“It exemplifies the values which the Scott Trust, owners of the Guardian,
exists to safeguard. Siobhain Butterworth has played a courageous and
distinguished role in upholding those values in her former role as legal
director.

“I know that the respect she has earned from readers and Guardian
journalists alike will stand her in good stead in her new
responsibilities."

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger said: “Ian Mayes was the first readers' editor to work on a national paper in the UK – and over nine years
he has worked most impressively to create a role which has been of immense
value to Guardian journalists and readers – and which has attracted
attention and admiration round the world. It is the greatest tribute to
him that it's impossible to imagine the Guardian without a readers' editor.

“Siobhain Butterworth is one of the best media lawyers in the country and
is an original and sophisticated thinker about issues around free speech
and journalistic ethics. She will bring calm judgement and considerable
experience of mediation to a role which increasingly involves content
beyond print.”

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According to The Guardian, the readers’ editor’s office has received more than 19,000 calls in the last 12 months.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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