Rosie Boycott Resigns From Express

Rosie Boycott has quit her position as editor of The Express after three years in the job, putting an end to the speculation about her possible departure that began with Richard Desmond’s surprise takeover of the Express Group newspapers last year (see Gossip And Girlie Publisher Takes On Express And Star). Her deputy editor, Chris Blackhurst, has also tendered his resignation.

Following the Northern & Shell deal, many key members of staff either jumped or were pushed, amid concerns about a soft-core porn publisher running a national newspaper (see Appointments Brief). Despite Desmond’s claims that he would not interfere with the editorial running of the Express, nobody thought that liberal feminist Boycott was happy to stay in her job, but it was not clear whether the new owners could afford to terminate her six-figure contract. Recent rumours have said that her legal people were negotiating a favourable severance deal, thought to be a sum equivalent to her salary for the time left to run on her contract- 15 months until May 2002.

Since taking over, decisions made by Desmond have including selling off the Express’ websites for £1 (see Desmond Pulls The Plug On Express Websites), leading to their subsequent closure when a buyer could not be found. 60 support workers were made redundant at the Express, causing Boycott to protest at Desmond’s “heavy-handed” approach.

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