The Telegraph has moved to reassure its European staff that they “continue to be welcome” as employees, after campaigning heavily for the UK to leave the European Union.
It has emerged that the publisher, which called on Britons to vote to leave the European Union ahead of the referendum, sent an email to try and reassure foreign staff following the historic decision that the UK would leave the EU.
Murdoch MacLennan, the chief executive of the parent of the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, attempted to assuage any fears that the company culture might turn against non-British staff.
“At the Telegraph we are fortunate to have a talented, energetic and diverse staff that includes many people from other EU member states who have made their home and career here,” he said. “I want to underline that colleagues and friends from the EU and from the European Economic Area continue to be very welcome at the Telegraph.”
In the days leading up to the last month’s vote the Telegraph published a 2,000-word long editorial in support of leaving the EU, while a poll of its own subscribers found that 69% said they were planning to vote for Brexit.
“As a company we appreciate the vital role that so many EU citizens play in our business,” said MacLennan. “Let me repeat again that all our colleagues working for the Telegraph from across the EU and EEA will continue to be welcomes as valued members of our team, and as part of the energetic and dynamic business we are all working so hard to create.”
He added that in the event that there is an “impact” on EU and EEA citizens working at the Telegraph, a reference to if immigration rules were to change as a result of UK pulling out of the EU, then the company would “of course fully support you and manage the situation”.
