(1981 - 1992) BBC Political Editor. He declined the honor of a C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1993 for his services to journalism.
He began started out at the Belfast Telegraph at the age of 17. He then worked at the Guardian and the Observer, before succeeding John Simpson as political editor at the BBC in 1981.
Started his writing at age 17.
His wry explanation for turning down a CBE: according to an old rule at his former employer, the Guardian, journalists could only accept gifts that could be consumed within 24 hours.
I ended up on telly by accident. Us modern Presbyterians don't believe in predestination, but on this occasion I thought I'd give it a whizz. [on accepting the BBC post]