Search icon

Politics

29th Aug 2018

Rachel Johnson sacked from the Mail on Sunday

The ripples of Paul Dacre's departure are spreading across Lord Rothermere's editorial empire

Oli Dugmore

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Rachel Johnson, the sister of London mayor Boris Johnson arrives on the third day of the Conservative party conference on October 6, 2015 in Manchester, England. Home Secretary Theresa May addressed delegates on day three of the Conservative Party conference at Manchester Central and warned that it is "impossible to build a cohesive society" and the UK needs to have an immigration limit. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The ripples of Paul Dacre’s departure are spreading across Lord Rothermere’s editorial empire

Rachel Johnson has been sacked from her Mail on Sunday column.

The journalist had been nominated as columnist of the year at 2018’s British Press Awards, but that doesn’t compensate for her biggest crime – backing Remain.

Some journalistic shithousing needs explaining. Arch lord Paul Dacre recently stood down as editor of the the Daily Mail. His voice and views have echoed through that paper for his 26 years at the helm; Brexit means Brexit, crush the saboteurs etc.

He will be succeeded early next month by Mail on Sunday editor Geordie Greig, a Remainer who positioned his paper as such. Rachel Johnson was given a one-year contract extension as one of Greig’s final acts at the paper. But, according to the Guardianthe man going into Greig’s old job has binned Johnson.

That man is Ted Verity, deputy editor of Dacre’s Daily Mail.

Rachel Johnson said: “I’ve had six glorious years with Geordie and it’s only right that Ted Verity brings in his own people. I completely understand and respect his decision.”

A butterfly flaps its wings in Northcliffe House…