View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Newton Dunn replaces Pascoe-Watson at Sun

By Dominic Ponsford

Sun political editor George Pascoe-Watson has left journalism after 22 years with the News International red-top to enter the world of political lobbying and PR.

He has been political editor since December 2005 after several years being groomed for the top job by his predecessor in the role Trevor Kavanagh.

Pascoe-Watson’s shoes at The Sun are now going to be filled by the paper’s defence correspondent Tom Newton Dunn.

He is joining Portland PR as a partner. The company boasted last night in a press release that Pascoe-Watson had, as political editor, been invited by Conservative leader David Cameron to give private briefings to the Shadow Cabinet on their media strategy.

Pascoe-Watson will now advise on media and public affairs issues and write a political insight column for Portland clients.

Portland was founded by former adviser to Tony Blair Tim Allan in 2001.

Portland says that it uses its “knowledge of Westminster, Whitehall, Fleet Street and beyond to ensure our clients get their messages across to the audiences that matter”.

Content from our partners
Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

It says: “Portland’s strength is in explaining complex and often controversial issues to key decision-makers and opinion-formers. We understand the interplay between politics and the media and can advise our clients on how to develop and implement strategies to communicate effectively to all their key audiences.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network