Warne’s comments would create ‘major headache’ for Herald Sun: Ex-editor

MELBOURNE - Former Herald Sun editor Bruce Guthrie has said that Australian leg-spin legend Shane Warne’s comments about the Melbourne-based morning tabloid newspaper would create a major headache for senior editors.

Warne had earlier accused the Herald Sun of reporting “absolute crap” about his “antics” at the Australian Open.

“It’s always a major headache when one of your star columnists turns on you. It’s not a good look,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Guthrie, as saying.

“I imagine it will all end up with some puff piece being run to appease Warne,” he added.

It is believed that Warne has a close relationship with News Ltd chief executive John Hartigan, and is considered a star columnist at the company’s Sydney headquarters.

“The Herald Sun merely gets his copy, along with all the other Australian papers. Warne will be complaining directly to Sydney, where he is well connected, which will make life tough for those in Melbourne,” a source told the Age.

Earlier, the Herald Sun had reported that Warne was hoping for “star VIP treatment for 14 of his closest friends” at Melbourne Park, and that he had asked for an escort when he arrived at 8pm on Sunday.

However, Warne appeared gobsmacked with the scrutiny of his night out.

“Just saw herald sun today - wow they speak absolute crap and I write for them! think they would check with me first before lying in print,” Warne’s Twitter post had said. (ANI)