Les Pyette resigns at National Post

Sault homie Les Pyette has resigned as publisher of the National Post.

Pyette, who was back in town two months ago to launch a book-publishing venture with fellow west-end homeboy Brian Vallée, stepped down as publisher and chief executive officer for "personal reasons," the newspaper reports in this morning's edition.

Former Post publisher Gordon Fisher will serve as interim publisher until a successor is found.

Fisher has most recently been senior vice-president of content for CanWest MediaWorks' publications group.

This morning's Globe and Mail quotes unnamed sources saying that Pyette "proposed a full-scale move to the tabloid format but was rebuffed by CanWest management."

Pyette, 60, favoured a "down market" style of journalism that conflicted with the style of editor Matthew Fraser, a former university communications professor.

Fraser was subsequently replaced by Doug Kelly, a former business reporter and deputy editor.