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Alan Rusbridger The Guardian

Guardian journalists revolt over return of former editor Alan Rusbridger

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By John Glenday, Reporter

April 22, 2016 | 2 min read

A number of senior journalists at the Guardian have expressed reservations about the return of their former editor, Alan Rusbridger, amidst continued anger at the loss of 250 jobs – largely attributed to Rusbridger’s ill-fated expansion into the US and Australia.

Staff have voiced their displeasure that Rusbridger is set to become chairman of the Scott Trust, a role which will see him handed responsibility for ensuring the Guardian’s survival "in perpetuity".

According to The Times senior journalists including financial editor Nils Pratley and columnist Polly Toynbee were amongst those to express doubts amidst a worsening atmosphere brought about by a need to reduce headcount by 15 per cent to eliminate an operating loss of £52m in the year to March.

Pratley, who has been given a lead role in the anti-Rusbridger faction of the media group, said: “Some 479 staff has been hired since the last round of redundancies. We have switched from brake to accelerator to break. Some mistakes could have been avoided with a healthier dose of scepticism.”

Rusbridger’s successor Katharine Viner has been forced to scrap a planned events space at King’s Cross and contemplate charging for some online content in an effort to balance the books.

Alan Rusbridger The Guardian

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