Conflict Over Telephone Hacking Article Preceded Exit of Washington Put up Editor

Weeks earlier than the embattled govt editor of The Washington Put up abruptly resigned on Sunday, her relationship with the corporate’s chief govt turned more and more tense.

In mid-Might, the 2 clashed over whether or not to publish an article a few British hacking scandal with some ties to The Put up’s chief govt, Will Lewis, in response to two individuals with data of their interactions.

Sally Buzbee, the editor, knowledgeable Mr. Lewis that the newsroom deliberate to cowl a decide’s scheduled ruling in a long-running British authorized case introduced by Prince Harry and others towards a few of Rupert Murdoch’s tabloids, the individuals stated.

As a part of the ruling, the decide was anticipated to say whether or not the plaintiffs might add Mr. Lewis’s title to an inventory of executives who they argued had been concerned in a plan to hide proof of hacking on the newspapers. Mr. Lewis informed Ms. Buzbee the case involving him didn’t benefit protection, the individuals stated.

When Ms. Buzbee stated The Put up would publish an article anyway, he stated her determination represented a lapse in judgment and abruptly ended the dialog.

The interplay rattled Ms. Buzbee, who then consulted with confidants outdoors The Put up about how she ought to deal with the state of affairs. When the judge ruled several days later, on Might 21, that Mr. Lewis may very well be added to the case, The Put up printed an article in regards to the determination.