Washington Post opinion editor Adam O’Neal announced that he is leaving the newspaper after about a year in the role. The departure reportedly surprised staff and comes during a period of significant change and scrutiny over the paper’s editorial direction.

O’Neal’s exit was announced on a Friday, with the report describing colleagues as “blindsided”. The development adds to wider uncertainty around the opinion section, which has been reshaped as the Post adjusts its editorial voice and faces staff departures.