Sands becomes fourth editor to leave Telegraph Group under Barclays

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Mar 12, 2006 | by Steven Vass

IT was I-told-you-so time at the Telegraph Group last week as Sarah Sands stepped down as editor of the Sunday title after only eight months.

She became the fourth editor to depart the group since Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay's pounds-665 million takeover of the Telegraph titles and Spectator in July 2004. The revolving doors will remind Scotsman journalists of the numerous changes of editors at their paper when it was owned by the Barclay brothers.

Sands's departure is being linked to John Bryant, editor-in- chief of the Telegraph titles, whose "interference" she is thought to have resented. Bryant arrived late last year, prompting the departure of Martin Newlands from the editor's chair at the Daily Telegraph.

In a recent interview with the London Evening Standard, Sands sounded tellingly lukewarm. She said: "I edit the Sunday paper, so I decide what goes into it, but it's perfectly civil."

Her leaving ends an experimental period for the title. It was relaunched after Dominic Lawson's enforced departure last November, with the aim of attracting female and younger readers.

The gothic masthead was made both modern and blue; the magazine was replaced by women's title Stella and arts and entertainment title Seven; and news became more female-friendly than before. For example, while all the other quality papers splashed with "Kennedy Resigns" on the day the former Liberal Democrat leader stepped down in January, the Sunday Telegraph headline was a tribute to the departing leader from his wife.

Rumours abounded that senior staff were unhappy with such changes from the beginning. Meanwhile, figures such as former editor Sir Peregrine Worsthorne publicly attacked her. He told a reporter recently: "Sarah was a sweet girl, but she had absolutely no political feel at all."

Sales were no worse than previously, however, particularly considering the tepid marketing support. They crossed 700,000 for the first time in two years in November, but then fell back. The Audit Bureau of Circulation figure for January was 682,739, down 1.4- per cent year on year.

Sands is to be replaced by The Times business editor Patience Wheatcroft.

The paper is tipped to be redesigned and made more traditional under her watch. As one source described her: "She has got more balls than most men."

It is not clear when she will arrive.

Instead of making deputy Richard Ellis acting editor, a spokeswoman emphasised Byrant's role as editor-in-chief. She would not comment when asked if this indicated that the Telegraph was to become a seven-day operation.

It also emerged last week that Scotland on Sunday editor Iain Martin is to become assistant editor of both Telegraph titles for his former employer.