Speculation Over Independent Editor

Editor and co-founder of the Independent, Andreas Whittam Smith, may step down this week, according to reports in the Weekend FT and today’s Guardian. Speculation over Whittam Smith’s future at the newspaper has grown since he was given a vote of no confidence by journalists. Newspaper Publishing’s shareholders are reported to have begun the search for a successor, with the FT’s Ian Hargreaves, the Observer’s Jonathan Fenby and the Telegraph’s Veronica Wadley all possible contenders.

Both the Independent and Independent on Sunday have been fighting falling circulations for several months. However, the May ABCs show a slight upturn for both papers against April.