Sacked Herald Sun editor was warned of boss, court told

MELBOURNE - A former Melbourne newspaper editor sacked from his role says he was warned about his boss from early days in the job.

Bruce Robert Guthrie, of Hawthorn, claims he was wrongfully dismissed from his position as editor-in-chief of the Herald Sun by News Limited on November 10, 2008, after almost 21 months under a three-year contract.

The Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday heard a dispute between Mr Guthrie and his immediate boss, managing director Peter Blunden, arose about six months after Mr Guthrie started in the position.

Mr Guthrie told the court he had met with a "prominent Melburnian" who said Mr Blunden had been criticising Mr Guthrie and "nitpicking the paper".

The source allegedly told Mr Guthrie it was obvious to him that Mr Blunden wanted to be editor of the paper again.

But the court heard the matter had been settled between Mr Guthrie and Mr Blunden, after the managing director undertook not to make the comments again.

Mr Guthrie told the court that during his first review five months into the role with News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan he was advised to be wary of Mr Blunden.

The court heard Mr Guthrie was warned at that meeting to "never go up against Peter Blunden".

Counsel for Mr Guthrie Norman O'Bryan SC said his client had not been re-employed in the newspaper industry since being sacked as he was in a "difficult position" having already edited both major Melbourne papers.

The trial before Justice Stephen Kaye is continuing.

- AAP