Nicholas Watt is a journalist. In 2016, he became political editor of the BBC's Newsnight.
Nicholas Watt | |
|---|---|
 Watt (centre) chairs a discussion of Brexit, 2016 | |
| Education | King's College School |
| Alma mater | University of York University of Wales, Cardiff |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Employer | BBC |
| Known for | Newsnight |
Early life
editWatt attended King's College School in Wimbledon before studying History at the University of York between 1986 and 1989, going on to study for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism Studies at the University of Wales between 1989 and 1990.[1][better source needed]
Career
editWatt began his career as a political reporter based in Belfast working for The Times as Ireland Correspondent, covering the initial stages of the peace process.[2][3]
In 1997, he was based in London following his appointment as political correspondent for The Times,[3] before joining The Guardian a year later where he worked as European editor and chief political correspondent.[2][3] Between 2007 and 2008, he was the acting political editor of The Observer.[3]
In 2012, he appeared on Press Gazette's list of the 'top 50 political reporters', at number 14.[4]
In 2016, Watt left The Guardian to become political editor of Newsnight on BBC Two, replacing Allegra Stratton.[2] The editor of Newsnight at the time was also a former Guardian employee, Ian Katz, who said that Watt was "one of the most trusted, authoritative and engaging journalists in the country. With a background in Northern Ireland, Europe and Westminster he's also uniquely equipped to guide viewers through an increasingly fractured and complex political landscape." A number of BBC journalists were reported to be "annoyed" with the director of BBC News, James Harding, appointing figures with backgrounds in the newspaper industry, including Watt, to BBC posts.[5]
In March 2019, he recounted a comment with strong language made by an anonymous cabinet minister under Theresa May.[6]
In June 2021, Watt was harassed during a COVID-19 anti-lockdown demonstration outside Downing Street. Footage of his treatment was widely shared on social media and condemned by Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel.[7]
References
edit- ^ "Nicholas Watt". linkedin.com. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Jackson, Jasper (23 March 2016). "BBC2's Newsnight hires Guardian's Nick Watt to replace Allegra Stratton". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- ^ a b c d "BBC Newsnight appoints Nick Watt as new Political Editor – Media Centre". BBC Media Centre. 23 March 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
- ^ "Press Gazette's top 50 political reporters". Press Gazette. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ Ponsford, Dominic (23 March 2016). "Guardian's Nicholas Watt is named as Newsnight political editor". Press Gazette. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ Logue, Patrick (29 March 2019). "Why is Theresa May having another Brexit vote? 'F**k knows, I'm past caring'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "Boris Johnson condemns 'disgraceful hounding' of BBC journalist". BBC News. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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