Brian Williams will not return to ‘NBC Nightly News’

NBC News Chairman Andrew Lack on Thursday afternoon confirmed reports that Brian Williams will not be reinstalled as anchor of “NBC Nightly News” but will instead be moving into a new position at MSNBC.

Lester Holt, who took over for Williams following his departure earlier this year, has been named full-time anchor of the network’s flagship news program.

{mosads}“Lester has done outstanding work for NBC News over the last ten years,” Lack said in a statement, “and he’s performed remarkably well over the last few months under very tough circumstances.”

Williams, who will join MSNBC as anchor of breaking news and special reports, was put on leave in February after an extensive review by NBC News “found that Williams made a number of inaccurate statements about his own role and experiences covering events in the field.”

In a statement also released Thursday afternoon, Williams apologized for saying things “that weren’t true.”

“I let down my NBC colleagues and our viewers, and I’m determined to earn back their trust,” Williams continued. “I am grateful for the chance to return to covering the news.”