He’s probably the most powerful man in journalism you’ve never heard of, but last night Martin Clarke – the head honcho of Mail Online – handed over the reins at Northcliffe House. The chain-smoking journalist spent 13 years turning the online version of the Daily Mail into a journalistic powerhouse, ruling with an iron fist over a sprawling global tabloid with millions of daily viewers attracted by tales of gossip, celebrity and scandal. Truly, an inspiration to Mr S.
Unfortunately Clarke lost out in the recent power-struggle over on High Street Kensington. Geordie Greig, the editor of the Daily Mail, was axed and replaced by Ted Verity, his rival over at the Mail on Sunday. Various factors have been cited in Greig’s downfall but it is notable that the paper’s coverage of No. 10’s woes has been somewhat toned down since his replacement.
As one wag put it to Mr S: ‘Geordie’s hatred for Boris was the pathological kind only one Etonian can reserve for another.’
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