David McCann, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland, has been suspended from his post after being arrested and charged in connection with alleged indecent online communications. The news, which broke in late November 2025, has sent shockwaves through Scotland's media landscape and raised questions about the implications for both the newspapers and their readership.
According to multiple reports, including from Sky News, BBC, and The Scotsman, McCann, 43, was taken into custody after Police Scotland officers executed a search warrant at a property in the Edinburgh area on November 25, 2025. The following day, he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where he made no plea and was remanded in custody overnight. He reappeared in court on November 27 and was subsequently granted bail for further examination.
Police Scotland confirmed the nature of the arrest in a statement: "On Tuesday 25 November 2025, officers executed a search warrant at a property in the Edinburgh area. A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with indecent online communications." The police did not name McCann directly in their initial statement, but all major outlets have since identified him as the individual involved.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) acknowledged receipt of a standard prosecution report from Police Scotland regarding the 43-year-old man. A COPFS spokesperson elaborated, "A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 43-year-old man." This step signifies that the case will move forward through Scotland’s legal system, although the specifics of the allegations have not been made public at this stage.
News UK, the parent company of The Times and The Sunday Times, acted swiftly following McCann’s arrest. In a statement echoed by every major outlet, a News UK spokesperson said, "We have been informed that David McCann, editor of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland, has been made the subject of a criminal investigation unrelated to his work. He has been suspended from the business. We will not be making any further comment at this time." The company emphasized that the investigation is not related to McCann’s professional duties, but nonetheless, his suspension is indefinite while the legal process unfolds.
McCann’s arrest comes just months after his promotion to the top editorial role. He was appointed editor of the Scottish editions of The Times and The Sunday Times in July 2025, following the departure of his predecessor, Magnus Llewellin. Before this, McCann had served as deputy editor and news editor at the Scottish titles, having joined The Times as news editor in 2018 and rising quickly through the ranks. His earlier career included stints as assistant editor and head of news at The Herald, assistant news editor at the Daily Record, and various roles at the Edinburgh Evening News.
Media industry insiders have noted McCann’s rapid ascent in Scottish journalism. His appointment was seen as a move to bolster the Scottish editions’ editorial independence and local focus. However, the current allegations have cast a shadow over his tenure and left colleagues and readers alike grappling with the implications for the papers’ leadership.
In court, McCann did not enter a plea—a common occurrence in Scottish legal proceedings at the initial stage, especially in cases involving serious allegations. He was remanded in custody overnight, a measure that underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case. The following day, he was granted bail for further examination, meaning the investigation remains ongoing and McCann is not currently in custody.
While the exact details of the "indecent online communications" charge have not been disclosed, The Guardian and BBC both reported that McCann was also charged under section 38(1) of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010, which pertains to "threatening or abusive behaviour." This additional charge suggests that the investigation is considering a range of possible offenses related to McCann’s alleged online conduct.
The case has prompted a flurry of activity within News UK, which has reiterated that the investigation is unrelated to McCann’s work as editor. Still, the company’s decision to suspend him immediately reflects both the gravity of the charges and the need to maintain public trust in the newspapers’ editorial integrity. As one News UK spokesperson put it, "He has been suspended from the business. We will not be making any further comment at this time." This position has been echoed across all communications from the company, signaling a cautious approach as the legal process continues.
Colleagues and industry observers have also noted McCann’s extensive experience in Scottish journalism. Before joining The Times in 2018, he built his reputation at several major Scottish newspapers, including The Herald and the Daily Record. His early career began at the Edinburgh Evening News, where he held various editorial roles. This breadth of experience made him a natural choice for the editorship earlier this year, and his leadership was expected to guide the Scottish editions through a period of significant industry change.
For now, the future of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland remains uncertain. News UK has not announced an interim editor or provided details about how the papers will be managed during McCann’s suspension. The company’s silence on this point is perhaps unsurprising, given the sensitivity of the legal proceedings and the potential for further developments in the case.
The arrest and suspension of such a high-profile editor have inevitably sparked debate within Scotland’s media community. Some have expressed concern about the reputational impact on the newspapers, while others have emphasized the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence. Regardless of the outcome, the case is a stark reminder of the pressures and scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.
As the investigation continues, all eyes will remain on Edinburgh Sheriff Court and the next steps taken by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. For readers and staff of The Times and The Sunday Times in Scotland, the coming weeks are likely to bring further questions about leadership, accountability, and the future direction of two of the country’s most prominent newspapers.
For now, the facts stand: David McCann, a leading figure in Scottish journalism, has been charged in connection with alleged indecent online communications and suspended from his editorial post. The case is ongoing, and both the media industry and the public await further developments with keen interest.
