Iain Overton resigns as editor of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism following Newsnight tweet
Iain Overton has announced his resignation from the role of editor of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, following his tweet suggesting a ‘senior political figure’ would be revealed as a paedophile on Newsnight.
Overton tweeted on 2 November saying: "If all goes well we've got a Newsnight out tonight about a very senior political figure who is a paedophile."
This led to a Twitter-storm of people suggesting who this could be, and there are suggestions that this is being named as the reason the BBC was ‘bounced’ into airing the Newsnight episode.
James Lee, chair of the Bureau, said: “Iain Overton has resigned his appointment as editor of The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Deputy editor, Rachel Oldroyd, will assume responsibilities for editorial control of The Bureau. An appointment of an Interim Editor is likely to be announced in the near term.
“An inquiry to establish the role of The Bureau in the story is in urgent progress. An interim report will be issued as soon as possible.
“Trustees reaffirm The Bureau’s commitment to fact-based, non-sensational investigation in the public interest. Any role by the Bureau or its officers in this story was strictly contrary to the fundamental principles and standards of the Bureau.”
Overton’s biography has been removed from the Bureau’s website.