Former Independent editor Andrew Marr has condemned news that the newspaper's print edition could be closed.
A senior Independent source told Press Gazette yesterday that if the i – the newspaper's cut price sister title – is sold to Johnston Press, they expected The Independent and Independent on Sunday newspapers to be closed. But they also suggested funds from the potential £24m sale could be used to invest in a digital-only product.
The news was greeted with sadness from the journalism industry.
ITV News political editor Robert Peston, who formerly worked for The Independent and Independent on Sunday, wrote on Twitter: "Closure of @Independent as print title is heart-rending, terrible. Such an important paper in its day."
BBC presenter and former editor Marr (pictured, Reuters) responded: "Whaat? Noooo…. It's getting better by the day. Rentoul, Cockburn, Fisk, Dejevsky, Macrae, Rajan essential daily!!"
He said: "Not in it's day, Robert. It's day is now!"
He later added: "Sorry for grammar clunk. But one Indy thought: those who celebrate death of a paper like folk wanting fewer parks – more is always better."
Former Independent on Sunday editor John Mullin said yesterday: "Thinking of ex colleagues and chums at @indy and @IndyOnSunday today. Brilliant journalists in v v tough circumstances."
And former i deputy editor Rhodri Jones tweeted: "Very sad news. Thoughts are with the many hugely talented and dedicated Independent ex-colleagues of mine."
Columnist Nick Cohen said: "Dreadful that the Indie, the first national I worked on, is about to close."
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