Bari Weiss sidelines veteran 60 Minutes correspondent on Nigel Farage story: report
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss has reportedly intervened in another politically sensitive “60 Minutes” story.She yanked veteran “60 Minutes” reporter Holly Williams from a planned interview of British populist politician Nigel Farage in favor of newly hired senior global affairs correspondent Sir Trevor Phillips, according to Breaker Media.The outlet reported that the Farage story was originally approved by former executive producer Tanya Simon and assigned to Williams and producer Erin Lyall.That was before Simon was fired and Nick Bilton took over as executive producer.Breaker reported that Weiss later informed Williams that Phillips would conduct the interview instead of her.The assignment has taken on added significance in recent days after Farage resigned his seat in Parliament and triggered a by-election in his Clacton constituency while under scrutiny over alleged failures to disclose millions of pounds in financial support and gifts.Breaker also reported that many veteran “60 Minutes” producers have been unwilling to work on the story because of criticism that Phillips has faced over his views on Islam.A source with knowledge of the situation disputed Breaker’s account, telling The Post that no story assignments for the upcoming season have been finalized and that development of the show’s 59th season remains fluid.The source said it was inaccurate to suggest producers are refusing to work on a story that has not yet been formally assigned, adding that Phillips does not officially join CBS News until later this month.This is the second time that Weiss has reportedly taken a veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent off a planned interview of a major international figure.In May, Weiss reportedly tapped Major Garrett for a highly anticipated sit-down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though longtime correspondent Lesley Stahl had spent months trying to land the interview.The source with knowledge of the situation pushed back on...