A regional political journalist has called for his most recent role to be retained after leaving to take up a job with a national news title.
Josiah Mortimer has urged Reach plc to keep the post of City Hall editor at MyLondon, which he held from October last year until his departure last month.
Josiah, pictured, has now revealed he has been appointed chief reporter at Byline Times, an independent news title launched in 2018.
His plea comes after he stepped down from his role running City Hall Journalists, a Westminster lobby-inspired group he founded in June for reporters who cover London’s local politics.
Posting on Twitter, Josiah said: “I very much hope Reach keep a City Hall reporter role. The Mayor [of London] has an enormous budget affecting every Londoner, and the GLA needs scrutiny – like any public body.”
HTFP has asked Reach for confirmation on whether the City Hall editor role will be retained following Josiah’s departure.
Speaking to HTFP about his new role, Josiah said: “I’ve admired Byline’s hard-hitting, investigative journalism for a good while now, and freelancing for them this past couple of years has allowed me to dig into some fascinating issues and scandals. So I was over the moon when they asked me to join full time.
“Byline has grown hugely in recent years and has developed a reputation for reporting what other media organisations sometimes miss. I’m looking forward to playing a part in its next steps, and can’t wait to get stuck in.”