After a slightly longer blogging break than I had initially planned…
Intriguing news about Sunday Times political editor Jonathan Oliver leaving the paper for job in PR. I was especially pleased to see Jonathan giving full credit to the hungry hack who got the scoop on that one. What a gent!
Jonathan’s next move remains something of a mystery. Certainly his lobby colleagues are none the wiser. I understand that, contrary to some of the rumours swirling around the parliamentary press pack, he will not be spinning for David Cameron, Tesco or any other such household name.
My understanding is that he is destined for agency life. But with who?
Is he moving to Weber Shandwick as a belated replacement for the much-missed Michael Prescott, himself a former Sunday Times political ed? Could Edelman have signed him up as the latest big name journalist to add further clout to their swelling operation? Or perhaps Hill & Knowlton have dipped in to their considerable coffers to sharpen up their public affairs and corporate offerings….
Meanwhile, the race is on to fill his shoes at The Sunday Times. Shortest odds are on deputy political ed Isabel Oakeshott getting the top job. But should editor John Witherow look elsewhere, lobby insiders believe Evening Standard deputy political ed Paul Waugh is firmly in the frame, along with Daily Mail deputy political ed Tim Shipman and The Times’ chief political correspondent Sam Coates…
Public Affairs Central 