Bakhurst makes new plan clear to RTE staff

Claire Murphy

RTE'S HEAD of news and current affairs Kevin Bakhurst has met with the station's staff to outline plans for his tenure.

The former Controller of the BBC News Channel set up his desk in Montrose for the first time yesterday.

He comes onboard at a time of major flux for the station and his appointment is seen as a clean break from the Mission To Prey fiasco.

However, the station is still facing a gaping hole of debts of up to €50m and is in the midst of a significant downsizing operation. Gaps in the newsroom are expected by the end of this month.

When it was announced that Mr Bakhurst would be taking up the position, several RTE personalities, such as Miriam O'Callaghan, sent messages of congratulations.

clairemurphy@herald.ie