The political editor of a publisher’s flagship digital title has left his role after just weeks in the job.

Tom Hourigan, who took up the job with National World’s national news website NationalWorld last month, has cited “restructuring and a change in editorial direction” for his decision.

Tom’s departure comes after it was revealed that 46 journalists across the group were to be put at risk of redundancy in a restructure affecting the title – a number the NUJ now puts at 54.

National World has also confirmed that NationalWorld launch editor Nick Mitchell will be moving to a new role as head of audience with the group too, with National World cities editor-in-chief Nancy Fielder taking oversight of the national news site in addition to her existing duties.

Tom, pictured, who previously worked for BBC Radio 4’s news operation, announced his departure in a Twitter post last week.

He wrote: “Some news from me: because of restructuring and a change in editorial direction, I’m leaving NationalWorld.

“I want to publicly thank outgoing editor Nick Mitchell and head of news Ralph Blackburn for their support – it’s a pity we won’t get to do what we planned to.”

National World has declined to comment further on Tom’s departure.

Nick, who was previously head of content development at National World forerunner JPIMedia, was appointed launch editor of NationalWorld in 2021.

It was initially set up with a team of 27 journalists, with the aim of being unique among national titles by basing all of its editorial staff away from London.

The National Union of Journalists has now estimated that a total of 54 journalists across the group are being put at risk of redundancy, with 34 editorial roles set to disappear.

Among those at risk are five deputy editors and three audience editors who are responsible for running the newsdesks of National World’s eight city daily titles – the Blackpool Gazette, Edinburgh Evening News, Lancashire Post, Portsmouth News, Sheffield Star, Shields Gazette, Sunderland Echo and Yorkshire Evening Post.

Those at risk of redundancy in the restructure can apply for a number of new positions being created as part of the changes.

These include deputy editor, early editor, late editor and SEO editor at the NationalWorld site.