Newspaper group chief's sadness as editor resigns

A leading manager of the Mirror Group has expressed his sadness at the departure of Sunday Mirror editor Colin Myler.

Mark Haysom said the paper's decision to publish a story which caused the collapse of the trial involving two Leeds United players was a "serious error of judgment".

He said Mirror Group Newspapers has completed a review of the editorial and legal processes that led to the publication of the article last weekend.

"This review has established that the well-defined procedures in operation in the company were followed and that legal opinion was sought prior to publication," said Mr Haysom, the managing director of National Newspapers.

"This legal opinion contributed to the decision to go ahead with publication on the basis that the interview was deemed not to be prejudicial to the court case in Hull.

"Whether publication of this article is subject to contempt proceedings is a matter for the Attorney General. We will, of course, be cooperating fully with his office on this matter. It would, however, be wholly inappropriate for us to comment further on this aspect at this time.

"Irrespective of the issues of contempt, it is clear from events that have unfolded this week that the decision to publish was a serious error of judgment.

"We would wish to take this opportunity to express again our regret at the consequences of that decision."

The Mirror Group has announced Tina Weaver, currently deputy editor of The Mirror, has been appointed editor of the Sunday Mirror to replace Mr Myler. Mr Haysom added: "It is a considerable sadness that he has departed under these circumstances."

Leeds footballers Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer and two others face a retrial in October on charges of attacking student Sarfraz Najeib. Mr Justice Poole discharged the jury at Hull Crown Court on Monday after saying the paper's report could be prejudicial.