BBC Newsnight editor Stewart Maclean quits after just a year in post to take up new role in Africa amid dwindling viewing figures and 'stressful' uncertainty about the current affairs show's future

• e-mail

The editor of BBC Newsnight has quit the show amid rumours of huge budget cuts and dwindling viewing figures at the broadcaster. 

Stewart Maclean, who took up the role just over a year ago, announced that he would be leaving the current affairs to take up a new post in Africa.

He admitted to colleagues that his departure 'couldn't be timed more badly', and admitted it was a 'stressful' time for staff working on the programme, which faces rumoured budget cuts of £5million. 

The programme has been facing mounting pressure in recent months, with audience numbers reportedly shrinking from 565,000 in 2020 to 365,000.

Mr Maclean, who is taking up a role as BBC World News Content's Africa bureau chief in Nairobi, was the executive producer behind the BBC's infamous interview with the Duke of York in 2019 before being appointed editor in 2022. He replaced Esme Wren, who left to lead Channel 4 News. 

Stewart Maclean has quit BBC Newsnight amid rumours of huge budget cuts and dwindling viewing figures at the broadcaster

Mr Maclean was the executive producer behind the BBC's infamous interview with the Duke of York in 2019 before being appointed editor in 2022

In an email to colleagues shared by Deadline, Mr Maclean wrote: 'I'm acutely aware of how stressful the last few weeks have been for our team amid speculation about proposed changes to the programme.

'I know there's a huge amount of uncertainty and I'm sorry to be signalling my departure at a time of such instability.'

It has been rumoured that executives are looking to cut the budget of the show from around £8million per year to £3million as part of a wider cost-cutting effort by the BBC.

But Mr Maclean reaffirmed his belief in the show, writing in his email: 'Despite the current uncertainty, it is clear that Newsnight will continue into the future and I have no doubt it will thrive.

'I will relish the chance to watch what you all do with the programme in the years going forward as we advance towards our 50th year on air.'

He has been praised by BBC bosses, with Paul Danahar, the BBC World News Content executive news editor, reportedly telling staff: 'Stewart is one of the BBC's most creative and accomplished editors in news. 

'As the head, and deputy head, of Newsnight he has consistently delivered high-impact original journalism.

'He has proven editorial leadership, has managed a large team of journalists and has a track record of finding and developing new talent.'

Stewart is expected to start his new job in the coming months with a new editor for the programme being announced soon. 

It comes after Ex BBC News boss Katy Searle called for the programme to be axed to save money.

She said: 'Is it really the right thing to spend £13 million on a programme that is only watched by 300,000? 

'When, actually, you could do that same investigative journalism but spread it across news in different parts of the day? And remember, Panorama still exists.'