The Times comment editor, Tim Montgomerie, has announced he has resigned after a year in the role but will continue writing for the paper as a columnist.
Montgomerie joined The Times in March 2013, replacing Anne Spackman who had spent five years editing the paper's comment pages.
He had previously edited the Conservative Home website, which he had launched in 2005. Montgomerie will leave the paper at the beginning of May.
He tweeted last night: "It's been a fascinating year working with great people but I've resigned as comment editor at The Times. Will carry on as a columnist."
Montgomerie later added: "The colleagues have been great … I just want to have more freedom to write myself (and for other things)."
Current head of news Mike Smith is to become comment editor and Jeremy Griffin is to become head of news. Home news editor Fay Schelsinger is being made home editor.
Times editor John Witherow said: "Tim has been an outstanding head of the Comment section and I am pleased that he will continue to write his column, run the weekly podcasts and play an active part in leaders and the political meetings."
The three appointments are effective from 5 May.
The three appointments are effective from 5 May.
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