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Business editor quits papers in wake of stalking case

A senior editorial executive convicted of stalking his former girlfriend has quit his dual role on two flagship Scottish newspapers.

Terry Murden has stepped down as long-standing business editor of both The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday newspapers just weeks after being fined £500 and handed a three-year non-harassment order at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Johnston Press titles since 2003, is planning to launch a new venture which he hopes to unveil in the coming weeks.

The 57-year-old, who has lodged an application to appeal against the July conviction after denying causing PR consultant Nicki Sturzaker fear and alarm by going to her flat uninvited, leaving unwanted gifts and notes, contacting her employers and writing about her, says he is now ready to “move on”.

I'm leaving . . . Terry Murden annouces his departure from The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday on his new blog

Following Terry’s conviction, JP launched its own internal investigation which it is understood was still ongoing.

He said in a statement on his blog: “After careful thought I have decided to give notice of my intention to leave Johnston Press to take advantage of a number of approaches in recent months which will take my career in a different strategic direction.”

The blog dailybusinessbreak.wordpress.com has already received almost 2,000 views since being launched last month.

His Twitter account reveals that since announcing his resignation announcement on Wednesday night he has gained 50 followers which he says is easily his best-ever haul and which bodes well for his new project.

Terry has been business editor of SoS for 11 years and for the last five years held the same position on The Scotsman.

Defence solicitor Jim Stephenson told the stalking trial that the former business editor had “no idea he was committing an offence” and added that the conviction could have serious consequences for his employment.