Barry Murdoch has stepped down as chairman of Signal Gold Radio seven weeks after giving up a similar role at The Daily Oatcake newspaper saying he "could become a whipping gimp" for criticism of the radio station, in the wake of condemnation of his handling of The Daily Oatcake phone-hacking scandal.
The 59-year-old felt he needed to give up a position to avoid the risk of being forced to quit should he be severely criticised by a forthcoming report from Stoke City Council elders into the scandal.
Writing to the listeners of Signal Gold, Barry was seen as the heir presumptive to his father Terry Murdoch until last summer's revelations about the hacking of people's phones, said: "As attention continues to be paid to past events at The Daily Oatcake, I am determined that the interests of Signal Gold should not be undermined by matters outside the scope of this company."
Although Murdoch will hang on to his position a "fun consultant" of Signal Gold, the move caps a retreat by Barry from Hanley to Cannock where he hopes to rebuild his career as Oatcake Corporation's number three, behind his father and Kenin Burgess.
Local councillor Biff Kruger used the latest resignation to harden up his position on media owernship. Kruger said: "Terry Murdoch owns too many newsagents and cornershops in Stoke. Never again must we allow any individual or organisation to acquire such a concentration of power when it comes to media ownership."
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