In what is quite possibly the most inauspicious first day at work ever, former BBC boss Mark Thompson has begun his new role as chief executive and president of the New York Times… just hours after his successor, George Entwistle, was forced to quit in ignominy.
Thompson said he was "very saddened" by the scandal which has engulfed the broadcaster.
As he arrived for work, he told reporters he had "no doubt the BBC will get back on its feet"
He told ITN: "Like many people, I'm very saddened by recent events at the BBC.
"But I believe the BBC is the world's greatest broadcaster, and I've got no doubt that it will once again regain the public's trust both in the UK and around the world.
"It is a very important institution, and I believe it's full of people of integrity and talent, and I've got no doubt it will get back on its feet really soon."
Thompson had previously said: "I believe that it will not, in any way, affect my job, which I'm starting right now, as chief executive of the New York Times company."
Thompson was appointed by the venerable title back in August, describing him as the ‘ideal candidate’ after leading the British public service broadcaster from 2004-12.
There are now doubts within the NYT that Thompson remains ideal but they are persevering regardless as the furore surrounding botched paedophile investigations, managerial incompetence and extravagant pay packages, grow ever louder.
Thompson himself has been drawn into the firing line by one NYT columnist, Joe Nocera, who described him as ‘appearing willfully ignorant’ as it was he who was in overall charge when Newsnight first made its ill-fated decision to abruptly abandon an investigation into Jimmy Saville.
Thompson has said it is a ‘privilege’ to take on his new role.