Changes at top of The Scotsman

John McLellan, editor-in-chief of The Scotsman Publications Ltd, has been placed on leave, after the company announced that his role would cease to exist.

In a statement, Johnston Press said: “The editors of each title will report directly to the managing director of the Scottish Publishing Unit.

“John McLellan has been placed on leave and is in consultation with the company.”

It added: “Further announcements on the editorship of The Scotsman will be made in due course.”

The company statement went on to say that the changes were part of Johnston Press’s “overall objective of creating a flatter, more efficient management structure”.

Mr McLellan held his role, which included overall editorial responsibility for The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News, for three years.

He was previously the editor of Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News.