Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
Brilliant exclusives and investigations scoop award
YOUR Sunday Mirror has been honoured with journalism’s top award – Sunday Newspaper of the Year.
London Press Club judges recognised our brilliant agenda-setting investigations, tireless campaigning and world-beating scoops.
We beat strong contenders The Sunday Times and The Observer to meet the gold standard for the best in British newspapers.
Judges were particularly impressed with Senior Feature Writer Geraldine McKelvie and Investigations Editor Nick Sommerlad’s excellent 18-month investigation into child sex abuse rings in Telford.
It led to an inquiry into child sexual abuse in the town and a fresh examination into why the authorities failed to investigate thoroughly.
Geraldine said: “It is only thanks to the bravery of the survivors of the Telford child sexual exploitation scandal that we have been able to expose both the widespread abuse and the shocking response of the authorities who turned a blind eye.”
Judges also praised our powerful Time To Change campaign, to improve the treatment of people with mental health problems.
Superbly driven by Deputy Editor Nick Owens and supported by celebrities including Frank Bruno, it has been backed by more than 100,000 people.
Among other agenda-setters, Tory Minister Andrew Griffiths was forced to resign after we exposed him as a sex pest who sent more than 2,000 explicit texts to a young barmaid and her friend.
Prince Philip’s crash victim, mum Emma Fairweather, revealed exclusively how she had been left injured and he hadn’t even said sorry.
He wrote to apologise the next day – and gave up his licence.
And reporter Patrick Hill revealed how Russian novichok victim Charlie Rowley had fought for his life and later met the Russian ambassador to demand answers after partner Dawn Sturgess died.
Newsreader Kate Silverton presented the award to Geraldine, Sunday Mirror Editor Peter Willis and Paul Henderson, who edited for eight months last year.
She said: “The Sunday Mirror outshone its rivals with a series of successes.”
Paul said: “The Sunday Mirror’s big heart is unmatched every week.
“Our brilliant journalists care about the readers, they give you a voice on the great issues affecting your lives and, through investigative, campaigning journalism, expose those who prey on the vulnerable.
“That’s why our Telford child abuse expose was at the forefront of the Sunday Mirror winning.”
Others honoured included Sir David Attenborough and BBC Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg.
With the best sports, news, politics and showbusiness coverage, our brilliant magazine Notebook and columnists including Saira Khan, Nigel Nelson, Martin Lewis, Andy Dunn and Robbie Fowler, the Sunday Mirror is the
complete package.