View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Investigative journalist David Leigh retires after 30 years with The Guardian

By William Turvill

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."

Leigh, who was voted third in a Press Gazette list of the top ten UK investigative journalists, received further praise from Guardian colleagues.

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”

Topics in this article : ,

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