Downturn forces newspaper changes

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Major changes at The Herald stable of newspapers are expected from the new editor-in-chief.

Donald Martin, who has been editor of the Evening Times for three years, replaces Charles McGhee, who left the Herald editor's office on Tuesday.

Staff expect their new boss, in a newly-created post, to combine teams on The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times titles and their websites.

The changes follow a sharp downturn in sales and advertising revenue.

There have been a number of job losses at the group in recent years amid efforts to cut costs. The issue of possible compulsory redundancies led to industrial action last year.

When he resigned four months ago, Mr McGhee made no comment on speculation that he may have quit in protest at cuts.

But James Doherty, the president of the National Union of Journalists, said in July: "If Charles McGhee has resigned over the budget cuts he has had to oversee, he will be applauded by every journalist, not only at Newsquest, but throughout the UK."

He continued: "I hope it is a principled stand he has taken, that there comes a point where further budget cuts become unacceptable if you are wanting a newspaper to thrive."