Colin Myler has resigned as editor of the Sunday Mirror and is replaced by Tina Weaver, deputy editor of The Mirror. After a meeting with the management this morning, Myler called in key members of staff and told them he was leaving.His departure follows the collapse of the trial in which two Leeds soccer stars are accused of assault.
The judge sensationally stopped the trial on Monday after claiming that a background feature on the case published in the Sunday Mirror was in contempt of court. The case is estimated to have cost £8m and predictions that the paper could face a massive fine hit the share price of Trinity Mirror, wiping £40m off its value.
In a statement, Mark Haysom, managing director national newspapers, said Mirror Group Newspapers had now completed its review of the editorial and legal processes that preceded the publication of an interview with Mohammed Najeib in the Sunday Mirror on 8 April.
He said: "The review has established that the well-defined procedures in operation in the company were followed and that legal opinion was sought prior to publication. This legal opinion contributed to the decision to go ahead with publication on the basis that the interview was deemed not to be prejudicial to the court case in Hull.
"Whether publication of this article is subject to contempt proceedings is a matter for the Attorney General. We will, of course, be co-operating fully his office on this matter. IIt would, however, be wholly inappropriate for us to comment further on this aspect at this time.
"Irrespective of the issues of contempt, it is clear from events that have unfolded this week the decision to publish was a serious error of judgement.We would wish to take this opportunity to express again our regret at the consequences of that decision.
"Colin Myler has resigned as editor of the Sunday Mirror and has left the company. Colin is a very experienced editor who has held senior roles in this company over a number of years. It is a considerable sadness that he has departed under these circumstances.
"Tina Weaver, currently deputy editor of The Mirror, has been appointed editor of the Sunday Mirror. Tina has made a significant contribution to the rejuvination of The Mirror in recent years. Particularly notable was her role in the launch of the award winning M magazine.
"We are going to take the opportunity presented by Tina’s appointment to ensure that The Mirror and the Sunday Mirror work together more effectively."
by Jon Slattery
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