In this week’s New Statesman, the owner of the Independent titles and the London Evening Standard, Evgeny Lebedev, speaks to Sophie Elmhirst about why he admires David Cameron, why he is on the lookout for another newspaper to buy, and why his father, Alexander Lebedev, is considering legal action against the Guardian. Elmhirst writes:
According to an interview in the Guardian, his father hinted that the Independent’s editor-in-chief, Simon Kelner, might be replaced and some staff made redundant. He was reported to have said that he found the newspaper “a bit boring” and that he was more entertained by the Daily Mail. Evgeny, when we speak on the phone the day after the interview is published, is unimpressed; he says the report was based on an off-the-record conversation and that his father’s comments were taken out of context. “That is not ethical journalism,” he argues. His father is now considering legal action against the Guardian.
Despite owning all three Independent titles and the Evening Standard, he seems anxious to expand his print portfolio.
In the context of the newspaper industry’s struggles and experiments, Lebedev is proud of his success at the Standard. Will he be buying more titles? He smiles. “I can’t really tell you that. It depends what comes up – if an interesting opportunity comes up, I’ll always look at it.”
The Independent may take a critical line on the Conservative-led coalition government, but its owner admits that he is an admirer of David Cameron. Elmhirst writes:
[Lebedev] also makes a point of forging political relationships and has met David Cameron, whom he professes to admire. “I think he will prove to be a great prime minister. He’s confident, he makes decisions.”
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With mayoral elections looming, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, also confesses to being a fan of London’s main evening paper and its proprietor.
“I am proud to call him a friend and a Londoner,” gushes Boris Johnson, when asked for his thoughts on Lebedev. “This great city of ours would be a lot poorer without him and the vibrant, creative Russian community who contribute so much.”
To read the profile in full, pick up a copy of this week’s New Statesman, available on news-stands from tomorrow, or subscribe to the magazine.
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