Alastair Stewart steps down from ITV News

ITV News presenter Alastair Stewart is stepping down from his role.

This comes following an “error of judgment in Alastair’s use of social media”, ITN said.

In a statement, Alastair said: “It was a misjudgement which I regret.”

“It’s been a privilege to bring the news to households throughout the UK for the past 40 years.”

ITN said he had breached editorial guidelines, but did not elaborate on the reasons for his departure.

Michael Jermey, ITV director of news and current affairs, added: “Alastair has been a long-standing, familiar figure to viewers of ITV News, both reporting and presenting with distinction. We wish him the very best for the future.”

Stewart joined Southern Television in 1976 then joined ITN in 1980 where he served 3 years with Channel 4 News and then went on to become a main newsreader with ITV News.

He remained in this role after more than 35 years, making him the longest serving male newsreader on British television having worked in both the local news, and the national news for 43 years.