SEEN in Journalism

Liam Halligan Verified account @LiamHalligan · Oct 31

I was hoping to be able to announce this in my own time – but the media rumour mill is swirling, I'm being contacted by various reporters and others, and I don't like denying the truth, so ...

I wrote my first "Economic Agenda" column in The Sunday Telegraph 27 years ago, under the editorship of Dominic Lawson – filling-in occasionally during the late-1990s, before being given my own weekly slot from 2003.

Since then, while I've been heavily involved in television, and am perhaps better known as a broadcaster, penning "Economic Agenda" for The Sunday Telegraph each week has been the backbone of my journalistic life.

On Thursday, the @Telegraph rang to tell me my column is being scrapped.

I was asked, and have agreed, to write "Economic Agenda" until the end of November, as per my contract. After that, my Sunday Telegraph column will be no more.

Why this decision has been made, and whether or not my columns were any good, is for others to judge.

All I will say is that, as the first person in my family to attend university, sustaining a weekly column in a leading national newspaper for a quarter of a century has been a source of enormous pride for myself and my family.

Lots of people have been asking me about the future of "Planet Normal" - the hugely-popular Telegraph podcast which I co-created and co-present with the brilliant @AllisonPearson

"Planet Normal" has, over the last 330 weekly episodes, also become a major part of my professional life and my broader identity.

With Allison reportedly leaving the Telegraph as well, there is a lot of speculation about whether or not the podcast will continue to impart "news and views from beyond the bubble" with our usual blend of sharp analysis, humour and occasional outrage !

Well, I am delighted to confirm that Co-Pilot Pearson and myself are deeply committed to our joint podcast – and, above all, to our beloved listeners.

We will, as and when notice periods allow, continue our voyages through space every Thursday – perhaps to "Planet Normal", or maybe to another part of the solar system – so we can "gaze down each week at the madness of Planet Earth", as we have done since the Spring of 2020.

So citizens of Planet Normal, stand ready ! The "rocket-of-right-thinking", the "flying refuge of reasoned views", will soon be launched once again 🚀🪐👨‍🏭👱‍♀️🎙️📺

I poured my heart and soul into "Economic Agenda" and "Planet Normal". The Telegraph's decision to scrap them is obviously a huge personal blow. But I will always be grateful for the opportunities the paper has given me.

Above all, I would like to thank the illustrious list of successive Telegraph business editors I've worked with since the late-1990s, many of whom have become and remain good friends - including @Peston @RobertsDan @larmitstead @neilbenet @benjaminmarlow @cg_williams @kamalahmednews @MarkKleinmanSky @jamesrquinn (sorry if I've forgotten anyone, it's been a long time!)

On Friday, even though I almost always write my column from elsewhere, and despite being extremely disappointed by the paper's decision, I decided to go into the Telegraph and write today's column sitting in the newsroom.

I am glad I did - as being at the heart of the paper at such a difficult time allowed for lots of conversations, with everyone from junior production staff to senior reporters and executives, which reminded me that journalism, despite being an industry at the whim of seemingly endless and often brutal commercial and technological upheaval, is not only hugely important to our country, but full of talented, decent people.

See picture below, having just filed my piece, as I was heading out the door ...

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KentOnline Verified account @Kent_Online · Oct 31

One member of the congregation told our undercover reporter a former synagogue in Kent should be "burned to the ground"...
Read the full story here: kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/i-…

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Janet Murray Verified account @jan_murray · Oct 31

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: “At first, I thought it was a joke - fancy dress. But this is everyday attire. His prosthetic boobs are enormous, exaggerated and cartoonish.”

I spoke to Oxford lecturers and a former student about their experiences of Matt Rattley - the bearded lecturer who wears prosthetic breasts to work and posts pictures on LinkedIn.

They described their discomfort, concerns about sexual harassment and fear of making a formal complaint.

I also obtained three separate written complaints to St Hilda’s, including one from a parent and a joint letter from three former students.

One signatory, leading clinical psychologist Dr Lucy Johnstone, told The Mail on Sunday:

“As a psychologist who has worked with women clients for many years, I do know that in all forms of harassment and abuse, you see denial by the perpetrator, silencing of the victims, and often collusion by institutions.”

The piece also includes comment from @LoudBonnet - the barrister who has represented Sandie Peggie.

My latest investigation with Nick Pyke:

Read below 👇
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P.S. My inbox remains open: janet@janetmurray.co.uk. All messages treated in confidence.

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