Washington Post staffers fume at owner Jeff Bezos as UK Telegraph’s Robert Winnett declines top editor role

Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos faces growing unrest from the newspaper’s staffers — and the latest casualty is the journalist who had been in line to become its next editor.

Robert Winnett, the deputy editor of the British broadsheet Telegraph, will not be taking the helm of the venerable newspaper, the paper said on Friday. That’s after the surprise exit of former Washington Post Sally Buzbee, who stepped down abruptly earlier this month after just three years at the helm.

“I’m pleased to report that Rob Winnett has decided to stay with us. As you all know, he’s a talented chap and their loss is our gain,” Telegraph Editor Chris Evans said in an email to staff.

Washington Post Chief Executive William Lewis confirmed the change in a note to staff, adding that the paper will launch a formal search for a new editor. 

“It is with regret that I share with you that Robert Winnett has withdrawn from the position of Editor at The Washington Post,” Lewis wrote. “Rob has my greatest respect and is an incredibly talented editor and journalist.”