Bloodbath continues at Seven as the Bruce Lehrmann fallout claims another scalp with Sonia Kruger’s news chief partner the latest out the door

Channel Seven’s head of news Craig McPherson has left the embattled network in the wake of Bruce Lehrmann’s sex and drugs allegations on the network’s flagship current affairs programme, Spotlight.

Seven confirmed on Monday that Mr McPherson – partner of Dancing With The Stars presenter Sonia Kruger – had suddenly left his role as network director of news and public affairs after nine years in the role.

He will be replaced by Anthony De Ceglie, who currently works as editor-in-chief for News Corp’s mastheads in Western Australia.

“Mr McPherson played a pivotal role in leading Seven’s news and public affairs, offering more than two stints at Seven, including a long period of success at Today Tonight,” a Seven media statement said.

“He spent years managing the audiences for Sunrise and The Morning Show.”

Mr McPherson said in the statement that he had considered moving on for some time, but ultimately decided that ‘now is a good time for everyone to make a fresh start’.

Craig McPherson (pictured) was head of news and current affairs at Channel Seven

He is the fourth executive to leave the network in April following the scandal over Spotlight’s lucrative deal with Lehrmann, who was found by the Federal Court to have civilly raped Brittany Higgins.

Spotlight obtained two exclusive interviews with Lehrmann last year in exchange for a year’s rent on a luxury unit, worth around $105,000, ahead of his defamation case against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson in the Federal Court.

However, former Spotlight producer Taylor Auerbach subsequently gave testimony at the trial in April, accusing the program of covering the costs of Lehrmann’s prostitutes, cocaine and lavish dinners at expensive restaurants.

The network denied Mr. Auerbach’s claims.

In the month of April alone, the network lost Mr McPherson, general manager James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam and Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

Seven also became the subject of a defamation lawsuit when Benjamin Cohen was wrongly named as the Bondi Junction killer on Sunrise.

Mr. McPherson is the latest executive to leave the network in the wake of Bruce Lehrmann’s interview deal with Spotlight (Lehrman was pictured on Spotlight last year)

Taylor Auerbach (right) is pictured with another former Spotlight producer Steve Jackson (left)

The network settled the case out of court last week for an undisclosed amount.

In Monday’s press release, Jeff Howard, president and CEO of Seven West Media, spoke highly of Mr. De Ceglie, who will start his new job on Tuesday.

“Anthony brings a compelling vision to the position of Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief of Seven West Media,” said newly appointed SWM Director and CEO, Jeff Howard.

“His absolute focus on newsgathering and storytelling will underpin his approach, while his knowledge of digital and innovative mindset will be exactly what SWM needs as we continue to build a better media company.”

Of Mr McPherson, he said: ‘Craig has been one of Australia’s leading news leaders and we wish him all the best for the future.’

Mr McPherson said he will take a break to spend time with his family.