Here's the email The Daily Telegraph sent to staff following criticism of its coverage of key advertisers

British newspaper The Daily Telegraph has been thrust into unwanted spotlight this week after its top political commentator Peter Oborne dramatically quit, leaving behind a damaging critique of the newspaper's alleged willingness to bend to key advertisers - particularly HSBC - and opt not publish negative stories about them.

Since that initial Oborne post on the Open Democracy website, a BBC Newsnight investigation and trade industry title Press Gazette have reported other Telegraph staff backing up Oborne's claims that the newspaper has long allowed its commercial division to have an influence over editorial.

On Thursday, the newspaper's director of content Chris Evans sent an email to staff, acknowledging a "difficult week." It also includes the leader column, due to be printed in the newspaper on Friday (but already posted online here), defending the newspaper against its recent criticisms (and throwing a few pop shots at rivals including The BBC, The Guardian, and The Times along the way). The leader carries no byline.

Here is the email sent from Chris Evans to The Daily Telegraph staff in full:

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