Atkinson Resigns as Hollinger Director

By: E&P Staff Hollinger International said Tuesday that director and officer Peter Atkinson resigned, joining a growing list of board members to step down in the wake of accusations that former chief executive Conrad Black and other executives accepted unauthorized payments.

In a statement, the company said Atkinson quit because of "personal reasons."

The holding company that oversees newspapers such as the Chicago Sun-Time, London's Daily Telegraph and the Jerusalem Post also said director and secretary Charles Cowan retired late last year.

The publishing company said top executives, including Atkinson and Black, received part of $32 million in payouts not sanctioned by its board. Black, who remains chairman, is said to be looking for new independent directors.

Last November, four independent board members resigned. And a month later, Daniel Colson stepped down as a director and vice-chairman of Hollinger Inc.