(JTA) — James Harding, the first Jewish editor of The Times of London, has resigned.
James Harding, 43, was the first Jewish editor of the more than two-centuries-old newspaper, according to The Jewish Chronicle. He made his decision to step down on Dec. 12. The Chronicle reported that Harding will remain in the post until the end of the year.
The Daily Telegraph revealed last week that Harding was close to leaving The Times, which is owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch. He resigned at the request of the board with what is understood to have been a $2.1 million payout.
“It has been made clear to me that News Corporation would like to appoint a new editor of The Times,” he reportedly said.
News Corp., which is controlled by Murdoch and his family members, owns News International, which publishes The Times.
According to The Telegraph, Murdoch was “unhappy” at the way The Times had covered the phone-hacking scandal at the News of the World, another British paper owned by News International.
A number of former top News International staffers face criminal charges related to illegal hacking targeting crime victims, celebrities, politicians and members of the British royal family.
