Top press prize for MoS man

THE Mail on Sunday’s Ian Birrell has won The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils, one of the most prestigious awards in UK journalism, for his powerful campaign on the cruel detention of people with autism and learning disabilities.

Ian wrote a series of harrowing reports in this newspaper, revealing how children and young adults are being locked up in psychiatric hospitals due to deficiencies in social care. He exposed how they are being routinely abused, forcibly sedated, held in solitary confinement and even fed through hatches like animals. Some of their families are legally gagged from speaking out.

His groundbreaking journalism, including revelations of fat-cat firms and charities profiteering from the misery at NHS expense, sparked a series of official inquiries, debates in Parliament and promises of urgent Government reform.

The campaign previously won accolades at the British Press Awards and from Amnesty International.

‘Ian’s work is consistently of a high standard,’ said Iain Dale, the broadcaster and chairman of the Orwell Foundation’s judging panel. ‘He is fearless and rigorous. I have long been in awe of him and I hope this award will help highlight his work and bring it to an even wider audience.’

The annual award is sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and open to reporters across the media.

Among those hailing Ian’s achievement were the families of people incarcerated, and activists. ‘This campaign has shone a light on human rights injustices that have gone on too long,’ said the Rightful Lives campaign group. Broadcaster Andrew Neil said the award was ‘richly deserved’.