The Times Scotland editor suspended over indecent communications charge

The editor of the Times and Sunday Times newspapers in Scotland has been suspended after being charged over indecent online communications.

Owner News UK said that David McCann, 43, was subject to a "criminal investigation unrelated to his work".

Police Scotland said that Mr McCann had been arrested after officers searched a property in Edinburgh on 25 November.

He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court the following day, made no plea, and was later bailed for further examinations to take place.

Mr McCann was appointed as Scottish editor of the Times in August, following the departure of Magnus Llewellin.

He joined the paper as news editor in 2018 before being appointed deputy editor the following year.

He previously worked as assistant editor and head of news at The Herald, assistant news editor at the Daily Record and worked in various roles at the Edinburgh Evening News.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Officers executed a search warrant at a property in the Edinburgh area.

"A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with indecent online communications."

A News UK spokesperson said: "We have been informed that David McCann, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland, has been made the subject of a criminal investigation unrelated to his work.

"He has been suspended from the business. We will not be making any further comment at this time."