A statement said: It is widely known we have produced dummies and conduct on-going research. But at the moment there is no commitment at this stage to such a development.

The statement was issued in response to reports that Telegraph Group managing director Hugo Drayton had indicated a compact edition could be on sale within the next month.

Dan Colson, The Telegraph Groups deputy chairman and chief executive has retired following the passing of the deadline for the submission of bids for Hollinger International.

Former Telegraph Group managing director Jeremy Deedes replaced Colson, who was also a director of West Ferry Printers.

I believe this is the appropriate time for me to relinquish my roles with Hollinger and its subsidiaries, said Colson.

The Telegraph Group confirmed Deedes would also assume Colsons directorship of West Ferry Printers.

Colson will remain a director of Hollinger International.

Deedes, who retired from the paper in November last year, will remain in place until a decision has been made on the ownership of The Telegraph titles.

Investment bank Lazards, which is handling bids for Hollinger and its assets, declined to comment on the number of bids or those involved.

Those in the frame for The Telegraph Group include; Express Newspapers owner Richard Desmond, The Daily Mail & General Trust, the Barclay brothers, and venture capitalist group 3i.
Other prospective bidders are said to include US publishing group Gannett, and German newspaper publisher Axel Springer.

Story by Andy Scott