Philip Webster
Born1949 or 1950 (age 74–75)
EducationWymondham College
Harlow College
OccupationJournalist
Employer(s)Eastern Daily Press
The Times

Philip Webster (born 1949 or 1950)[1] is a British journalist. He spent 18 years as political editor of The Times and has had many other roles at the newspaper.

Early and personal life

Webster was the son of a farmer in Norfolk. He was educated at Wymondham College.[1] He entered a National Council for the Training of Journalists course run by Harlow College in 1968.[2]

Webster is a supporter of Norwich City Football Club.[1]

Career

Webster began his career at the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich.[3] After three years he joined The Times,[2] of which he recalled:

I was helped when a senior staffer at The Times noticed that I could write shorthand pretty fast and hired me, virtually on the spot, to report in Parliament.[3]

Webster was initially a press gallery reporter from February 1973.[1][4] He wrote a book about Kevin Keelan, the goalkeeper for Norwich City F.C.[5] He went on to join the Lobby as a political reporter in 1981. He became chief political correspondent of The Times in 1986.[2] He wrote the newspaper's last splash from its headquarters in Gray's Inn Road (Leon Brittan, the secretary of state for trade and industry, under pressure to resign over the Westland affair) and its first splash from its headquarters in Wapping (Margaret Thatcher's fightback over the affair). Webster ran an "all-stars" football team.[5]

Webster became political editor of The Times in 1992.[2] He broke the story of John Major's affair with Edwina Currie.[5] He stood down as political editor after the 2010 general election,[3] having spent 18 years in the role.[5] He was appointed Europe editor,[6] and editor of thetimes.co.uk.[3] In 2013 he was digital opinions editor and deputy head of news.[2] He was later editor of The Times' Red Box political bulletin.[7]

Webster retired on 13 January 2016 after a 43-year career at The Times,[7] though it was reported that he would continue to write for the paper "on a casual basis".[1] Webster's book about his time in journalism, Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit, was released later that year.[8]

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "From the most easterly point of Britain to Westminster - Philip Webster retires after esteemed political journalism career". Eastern Daily Press. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Ponsford, Dominic (16 December 2013). "Impartiality, fairness and accuracy key to Philip Webster's 40-year career at The Times". Press Gazette. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Press Gazette's top 50 political reporters". Press Gazette. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ Chorley, Matt (4 February 2022). "The Press Gallery". Red Box Politics Podcast (Podcast). Acast. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d Chorley, Matt (6 December 2016). "Live special with Ed Balls and Philip Webster - part 1". Red Box Politics Podcast (Podcast). Acast. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ "New political editor and other changes at The Times". Press Gazette. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  7. ^ a b "'Inspirational figure' Webster retires". News UK. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  8. ^ Zeffman, Henry (12 November 2016). "Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit by Philip Webster". The Times. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
Media offices Preceded by Political Editor of The Times 1992–2010 Succeeded byRoland Watson
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