`Observer' axes 17 journalists in cull

ROGER ALTON, the new editor of the ailing Observer, told 17 staff yesteday that they were being made redundant. The job losses include some of the newspaper's key figures, such as the renowned columnist Sue Arnold and art critic William Feaver.

The newsroom has taken the brunt of the changes, being cut overnight by eight journalists. "I can't think of such a cull in Fleet Street ever," an insider said. "In the old days you might have seen a handful of people go out of a staff of 100, but this is a loss of one-fifth of all the journalists."

Journalists at the paper passed a union motion blaming the former editor, Will Hutton, for the drastic action, which comes after a collapse in circulation under his leadership.

It said: "The chapel notes the fact that Will Hutton, the former editor who presided over management's most recent debacle has been retained at The Observer at a grossly inflated salary in a new elevated post." He is now editor-in-chief.

Union insiders said strike action was not imminent.

Paul Dunn, the news editor, is to leave, with Mike Durham, the health correspondent, Barry Hugill, who writes on social affairs and feature writer Cal McCrystal. Columnists, such as Mr Hutton, Neil Ascherson and Andrew Marr were spared. The new management is expected to import six new faces to the editorial team soon.