Steerpike Steerpike

Alan Rusbridger insists he will have no say on his successor at the Guardian

The FT’s Lucy Kellaway likened the sycophantic Twitter response from Guardian journalists to Alan Rusbridger’s resignation as their editor to the plot of Shakespeare’s King Lear.

‘I couldn’t help thinking of the warring sisters when I read the competing tweets from two of the most hotly tipped successors to Mr Rusbridger. First to declare her love for her departing editor was Janine Gibson. “Alan Rusbridger: Once in a generation editor; best boss ever; good at surprises,” she tweeted.

Her rival for the top job, Katherine Viner, followed suit with her paean in 140 characters or fewer: “Alan Rusbridger — for 17 years my inspiring editor: never afraid, always pushing us to be bigger, bolder, braver.”’

However, could the horses in the race have misplaced their efforts? Mr S only asks because Rusbridger tells him he has no say in choosing his successor.

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