News UK has confirmed that The Sun’s managing editor Richard Caseby is leaving after 24 years with News UK and News International.

He was managing editor of The Sunday Times for 13 years before being made joint managing editor of The Sun and News of the World at the end of June 2011. Caseby was then replaced in that job on an interim basis for 11 months by David Dinsmore from December 2011 while he worked full-time on News International’s response to the Leveson Inquiry.

News Corporation executive chairman Rupert Murdoch paid personal tribute to Caseby in a statement saying: "Richard has been a loyal and distinguished executive, primarily on The Sunday Times but most recently on The Sun, guiding it skillfully through a turbulent period.

"I thank him for his passionate defence of our company and staff, and especially his astute counsel during the Leveson Inquiry.  He is a steadfast colleague and one I have been glad to have fighting our corner."

It was also confirmed today that The Times' deputy editor Keith Blackmore, another News UK staffer, is leaving the company after 26 years.