Newly appointed Sunday Mirror editor Tina Weaver was firmly in control this week after the dramatic departure of Colin Myler.
And she made it clear that the paper would remain an "entirely independent" operation from the daily, although resources would be pooled on some occasions. She hoped that she and Mirror editor Piers Morgan would co-operate on major deals.
"We work really well together but there’ll be no seven-day operation. There is no doubt that we will work together on occasions. We are exploring ways that can mutually benefit the titles, like joint buy-ups and deals."
Insiders said there was no question of Weaver, 35, being some sort of No.2 figure on the Sunday Mirror to Morgan, recently elevated to effective editor-in-chief across the two papers. "She is running the show on her own, making appointments and taking conference. Piers isn’t around at all, although they do speak often. They are great mates but she always holds her own ground," said a member of staff.
Weaver has poached Mail on Sunday deputy news editor Nick Buckley to be assistant editor (news). She will wait until he joins before appointing a replacement for news editor Chris Dyche, who is returning to Caters News Agency. She described her other big signing, deputy editor Mark Thomas, as "a good tabloid veteran and a brilliant operator with extensive Sunday experience".
Former deputy editor Fiona Wyton is understood to be considering the offer of another job within the group while John McShane, who together with Wyton and Myler was involved in handling the article responsible for the collapse of the Leeds footballers’ trial, will remain at the Sunday Mirror.
Philippa Kennedy
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
