George Osborne steps down as editor from the Evening Standard… with David Cameron’s sister-in-law lined up to replace him
- Emily Sheffield, Samantha Cameron’s younger sister, will take the reins on July 1
- The paper’s proprietor Evgeny Lebedev has made ex-Chancellor editor in chief
- Mr Osborne has been paper’s editor since 2017, shortly after he left government
George Osborne has announced he is stepping down as editor of the Evening Standard and will be replaced by Emily Sheffield, David Cameron’s sister-in-law.
The former Tory chancellor has been made editor-in-chief of the London free newspaper by its proprietor Evgeny Lebedev.
Mr Osborne tweeted: ‘After 3 wonderful years I’m stepping down as editor to become editor-in-chief.
‘Thanks to the team who’ve made the paper a must read + helped me steer it through the greatest crisis in its history, never missing an edition & producing some of its finest journalism.’
He also wished his successor good luck and hailed her ‘creativity, commitment and experience’.
Ms Sheffield, a former deputy editor of Vogue and current paper columnist, will take the reins on July 1.
George Osborne has announced he is stepping down as editor of the Evening Standard and will be replaced by Emily Sheffield, Samantha Cameron’s sister
Ms Sheffield tweeted: ‘Very proud to be the announced as the new Editor of the Evening Standard.
‘It has been a core part of my daily life since I moved to London aged 18. And spent five formative years there as a young journalist in my 20s.’
She has recently launched online media company #ThisMuchIKnow, which she said had been a challenge.
She said: ‘You feel constantly under siege. You never think you’ve achieved enough. Every decision feels seismic but you make hundreds of them each week until your head throbs.’
Ms Sheffield, 47, is the younger sister of former prime minister David Cameron’s wife Samantha.
Mr Osborne, 49, is close to the family and for two decades was Mr Cameron’s closest political ally, serving as his chancellor for six years.
He was made editor of the Standard in March 2017 after leaving frontline politics when Theresa May sacked him from the Cabinet.
Ms Sheffield, 47, (right) is the younger sister of former prime minister David Cameron’s wife Samantha (left)
Emily Sheffield and George Osborne attend the Charles Finch & CHANEL Pre-BAFTA Party in February
When he took charge of the Standard, he had no journalism experience under his belt and was still the MP for Tatton.
He defended his appointment, telling the Commons that Parliament is ‘enhanced’ when people of different experience take part in it,
But he was also criticised for juggling six jobs, which included chairmanship of the Northern Powerhouse, a fellow at a US think tank, a public speaker and an advisor at asset management firm Blackrock.
When Ms May called the snap general election in 2017, Mr Osborne did not seek reelection.
The ex-Tory minister will serve as the paper’s editor-in-chief, typically a less hands-on role with no day-to-day running of the paper.
Mr Lebedev tweeted: ‘I am delighted to announce the appointment of Emily Sheffield as Editor of the Evening Standard.
‘I am also very pleased that after more than three years as an outstanding editor, George Osborne will become Editor-in-Chief.’