- Sonia Kruger’s husband leaves his job at Canal Siete
- Craig McPherson was head of news and current affairs.
- It is the fourth to leave the chain in a month.
Channel Seven head of news Craig McPherson has left the embattled network in the wake of Bruce Lehrmann’s sex and drugs allegations that hit the network’s flagship current affairs program Spotlight.
Seven confirmed on Monday that McPherson, partner of Dancing With The Stars host Sonia Kruger, had suddenly left his role as the network’s director of news and public affairs after nine years in the role.
He will be replaced by Anthony De Ceglie, who currently works as editor-in-chief of News Corp’s Western Australian mastheads.
“Mr McPherson played a key role in leading Seven’s news and public affairs offering during two spells at Seven, including a long successful period at the helm of Today Tonight,” a Seven press release said.
“He has overseen many consecutive years of audience leadership for Sunrise and The Morning Show.”
McPherson said in the statement that he had been considering moving on for a while, but ultimately decided that “now is a good time for everyone to have a fresh start.”
Craig McPherson (pictured with his partner, Sonia Kruger) has resigned from Channel Seven
Craig McPherson (pictured) was Channel Seven’s head of news and current affairs.
He is the fourth executive to leave the network in April following the scandal over Spotlight’s lucrative deal with Lehrmann, who was found by the Federal Court to have raped Brittany Higgins on a civil scale.
Spotlight secured two exclusive interviews with Lehrmann last year in exchange for a year’s rent on a luxury unit, valued at about $105,000, ahead of her defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court.
However, former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach testified at the trial in April and accused the show of covering the costs of Lehrmann’s prostitutes, cocaine and lavish dinners at expensive restaurants.
The network denied Mr. Auerbach’s claims.
In the month of April alone, the network lost Mr. McPherson, CEO James Warburton, Chief Business Officer Bruce McWilliam and Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.
Seven also became the subject of a defamation case when Benjamin Cohen was wrongly named in Sunrise as the Bondi Junction killer.
McPherson is the latest executive to leave the network in the wake of Bruce Lehrmann’s interview deal with Spotlight (Lehrman appeared on Spotlight last year).
Taylor Auerbach (right) is pictured with another former Spotlight producer, Steve Jackson (left).
The network settled the case out of court last week for an undisclosed sum.
In Monday’s press release, Seven West Media CEO and CEO Jeff Howard praised Mr De Ceglie, who will start his new job on Tuesday.
“Anthony brings a compelling vision to the role of Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of Seven West Media,” said SWM’s newly appointed CEO and CEO Jeff Howard.
“His absolute focus on newsgathering and storytelling will underpin his approach, while his digital savvy and innovative mindset will be just what SWM needs as we continue to build a better media business.”
Of Mr McPherson he said: “Craig has been one of Australia’s most distinguished news leaders and we wish him all the best for the future.”
McPherson said he will take time off to spend time with his family.
