Society of Editors chief resigns after criticism for defending UK press against racism claims

Society of Editors chief resigns after coming under fire for defending UK press from Prince Harry and Meghan’s racism claims

  • Ian Murray, executive director of the Society of Editors, has tonight resigned
  • It comes after he issued statement defending UK press from racism accusations
  • He said remarks by Harry and Meghan in Oprah interview were ‘not acceptable’ 
  • But sections of media, including the Guardian, last night criticised comments

The Society of Editors chief has tonight resigned after coming under fire for defending the UK press from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle‘s racism claims.

Ian Murray, the industry body’s executive director, faced a backlash from sections of the media after releasing a statement saying the couple’s accusations, made in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, were ‘not acceptable’.

His statement also said the couple’s claims were made without ‘supporting evidence’ and that the UK media ‘has a proud record of calling out racism’.

But the remarks drew criticism from some within the industry, including editors of publications such as the Huffington Post and the Guardian, who both said the statement did not reflect their opinion.

Ian Murray, the industry body’s executive director, faced a backlash from sections of the media after releasing a statement saying the couple’s accusations, made in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, were ‘not acceptable’

But the remarks about Harry and Meghan's (pictured) claims drew criticism from some within the industry, including editors of publications such as the Huffington Post and the Guardian, who both said the statement did not reflect their opinion

But the remarks about Harry and Meghan’s (pictured) claims drew criticism from some within the industry, including editors of publications such as the Huffington Post and the Guardian, who both said the statement did not reflect their opinion

A letter was later signed by 167 journalists of colour, who claimed the response SoE response was ‘laughable’. 

The SoE, which draws members from nearly 400 national and regional outlets, today appeared to pull back from the earlier comments, amid claims of a split in the executive board. 

The new comment, made today by the SoE board, rather than Mr Murray, said the earlier remarks ‘did not reflect what we all know: that there is a lot of work to be done in the media to improve diversity and inclusion’.

Meanwhile, a number of publications and journalists have today decided to pull their nominations from the upcoming Society of Editors Awards.

These include the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the Yorkshire Post.