A news agency reporeter has picked up this year’s scoop of the year prize at the London Press Club awards.
David Leigh, from US-based Splash News, picked up the prize for tracking down the wife of John Darwin – the man who faked his own death in canoeing accident.
Former Daily Mirror and Daily Express news editor Leigh tracked down Anne Darwin in Panama City acting on information supplied by the Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror.
The secret of getting the scoop was persistence after Leigh knocked on Mrs Darwin’s door and waited for an about an hour for her to answer.
He said that she was paid no money for the story which was shared between the Mail and Mirror.
The Daily Mail was named daily newspaper of the year and the Sunday Times was Sunday Newspapers of the year.
Sunday Times feature writer AA Gill received the Edgar Wallace award for writing and reporting of the highest quality.
BBC economics editor Evan Davis was business journalist of the year, the Daily Telegraph’s Harry Wallop was consumer and personal finance journalist of the year and Sky News‘ Martin Brunt was named broadcast journalist of the year.
The judges were:
Professor Donald Trelford – Chairman of the Judges and President, London Press Club
Robin Esser – executive managing editor, Daily Mail
Bill Hagerty – editor, British Journalism Review
Bob Satchwell – executive director, Society of Editors
Richard Lindley – Television journalist and author
Alan McLaughlin – head of media relations, British Gas
George Westropp – former chairman, London Press Club
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