Guardian investigations editor David Leigh has retired after more than 30 years at the paper.
Following the announcement on Friday Leigh was described by his editor Alan Rusbridger as “outstanding”.
"David Leigh is formally retiring – though we hope he will continue to keep a relationship with the paper,” Rusbridger said.
“He has been one of the most outstanding investigative reporters of his, or any other, generation, with more than three decades of brilliant and important revelations for the Guardian and Observer."
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Leigh, who was voted third in a Press Gazette list of the top ten UK investigative journalists, received further praise from Guardian colleagues.
Saying goodbye to @davidleigh3, retiring today twitter.com/GuardianJoanna…
— Joanna Geary (@GuardianJoanna) April 12, 2013
Last day of @davidleigh3, muckraking legend, mentor, and cantankerous deskmate at the Guardian. Wishing him all best for retirement
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) April 12, 2013
Sad to hear @davidleigh3 has retired from @guardiannews. The man behind some defining investigations of the last few decades.
— Louise Ridley (@LouiseRidley) April 14, 2013
Congrats @davidleigh3 with the retirement! Thanks for everything and looking forward to seeing you at the #Dataharvest13 in May
— Brigitte Alfter (@Hackette7) April 13, 2013
Amazing moment! @davidleigh3 about to retire from the @guardian (or so he says). Drinks shortly in editorial office #cantankerous?
— Luke Harding (@lukeharding1968) April 12, 2013
Today we bid a fond farewell to investigative journalist @davidleigh3. His retirement wish? To reach 10,000 Twitter followers. Can you help?
— The Guardian (@guardian) April 12, 2013
Farewell to @davidleigh3 retiring today after 40 odd years in the trade. Journalism shall miss his warrior spirit.
— Dan Sabbagh (@dansabbagh) April 12, 2013
Elsewhere, on hearing the news of Leigh's retirement, political blog Guido Fawkes reminded its readers that Leigh had phone-hacked in the past with the headline: Guardian Phone-Hacker David Leigh Retires.
In June last year Leigh told Press Gazette he didn't know intercepting phone messages was a crime when he listened to the voicemail messages of an arms dealer in 2006.
In February David Leigh came third in a top ten list of investigative journalists compiled by Press Gazette after surveying around 30 of the leading figures in this field. One of the colleagues nominating him said: "“He’s been performing at a high level for a long time and he hasn’t lost any of his appetite”
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