Neil appointed 'European' editor-in-chief

Andrew Neil, former Sunday Times editor, was yesterday named editor-in-chief of European Press Holdings, which owns the European and three Scottish newspapers.

The group, which owns the Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News, said the move was designed to accelerate a drive to improve the circulations of its four titles.

Mr Neil, who has recently detailed his often stormy relationship with Rupert Murdoch, the Sunday Times's owner, in an autobiography, said: "I am particularly excited to be involved with three Edinburgh-based newspapers at a time when Scottish affairs look likely to be moving to the centre of the national debate."

Bert Hardy, chief executive of European Press Holdings, said: "This concludes the first stage of our continued process of investment in quality people which is enabling us to move forward on all fronts."