Tuesday's departure of Andrew Richardson, the managing director of Johnston Press's Scottish operation, prompted more than a wee dram of Twitter schadenfreude from a former colleague. John McLellan, former editor-in-chief of Johnston's Scotsman titles and Edinburgh Evening News, who was unceremoniously ousted from his role by Richardson almost exactly nine months ago, was quick to comment on Twitter: "Man who fired me has been fired. What goes around, etc." Richardson's replacement is expected to be announced on Wednesday, as part of a another executive shuffle. Meanwhile any lingering Christmas cheer among the Johnston Press editorial ranks has evaporated with the news of another "deferment" in a staff pay deal. Ashley Highfield, chief executive of Johnston Press, emailed staff saying the six month freeze on pay reviews introduced last July has been extended until at least July this year. "I know this will be disappointing news, after a hard year," he said. "I am confident that the ambitious initiatives introduced in 2012 will bear fruit in 2013." And a happy new year to you too, Ashley.
