London - The editor of Britain's Times newspaper, Mr Peter Stothard (49), was taking sick leave for treatment of a tumour, the paper's owners, News International Plc, said yesterday. Mr Stothard, who is receiving chemotherapy treatment, said he felt tired but the prognosis for his health was good. He would be back editing the newspaper full time in a few months, the company said in a statement.
British media had speculated that Mr Stothard was being forced out because Mr Rupert Murdoch, owner of News International, was frustrated at the Times' inability to take the top place in Britain's broadsheet newspaper market.