In a shock move, the editor of The Times has resigned at the request of News Corporation bosses.

James Harding, 43, the first Jewish editor of the Rupert Murdoch-owned paper, stepped down on Wednesday afternoon.

Sources at the paper say that the timing was surprising. Mr Harding was apparently expected to leave his post in the near future, but not so soon.

Mr Harding began his career at the Financial Times in 1994 and joined The Times as business editor in 2006. He was appointed editor in 2007.

In a speech delivered to a stunned newsroom, Mr Harding said that he had offered Mr Murdoch his resignation this morning. Mr Harding will remain in the post until the end of the year.