9pm Friday night text tells staff: 'We've gone into administration'

Staff at one of the UK’s biggest newspaper groups received texts at 9.30pm on Friday night to explain that the company had gone into administration and their contracts were being transferred to a new company.

David King, CEO of Johnston Press, the now defunct publisher of The i newspaper, The Scotsman and Yorkshire post, texted staff late on Friday to reveal the news.

One staff member, who exclusively spoke to HR Grapevine under condition of anonymity, explained that although bosses have told staff jobs are safe, for the moment, there is widespread anxiety.

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They said: “We have all been told that there’s nothing to be concerned about and that all our jobs are safe, but the lack of clarity on the future of the company has definitely created some anxiety."