NEW: Top Editor at Washington Post Out Before Even Starting Amid Paper’s Turmoil

(AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

British journalist Robert Winnett, who was poised to take the helm as executive editor at The Washington Post, will not take up the position in a personal decision that followed the newspaper’s investigation into his alleged past use of unethical journalistic practices.

The news broke with reports of an email to staff in London, Chris Evans, editor of The Daily Telegraph, confirmed that Winnett would remain with the London-based newspaper in his role as deputy editor: “I’m pleased to report that Rob Winnett has decided to stay with us.”

Evans added: “As you all know, he’s a talented chap and their loss is our gain.”

In an internal email announcement to Washington Post staffers, CEO Will Lewis complimented Winnett as “incredibly talented” and commented that the search for a new editor would begin “immediately.” Current executive editor Matt Murray will stay in the role until after the presidential election.

Scrutiny of Winnett peaked amid a wider ongoing controversy over similar allegations made about The Washington Post’s Lewis and his alleged attempts to suppress reporting on his past.

Lewis had appointed Winnett the editor role at The Washington Post, praising him as a “world class journalist” that he’d mentored and having worked with him at multiple British newspapers.

Winnett did not immediately respond the New York Times’ requests for comment.