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An AEJ tribute to Bill Deedes, who died on 17 August 2007

 

London, 20 August 2007

 

The death on 17 August of Lord Deedes (otherwise known as Dear Bill in Private Eye and the inspiration for the central character William Boot in Evelyn Waugh's novel "Scoop") marks the passing not only of one of Britain’s best and longest-serving journalists but also of a strong advocate of Britain within Europe.

 

Bill Deedes practised journalism for an astonishing 76 years from 1931 until his death, writing mainly for the Daily Telegraph where he was editor from 1974 to 1986. He was awarded the Military Cross for valour in the Second World War and was also a Conservative MP for 27 years, holding ministerial posts in the 1950s and 1960s.

 

 

 

 

 

After retiring as its editor, Bill Deedes continued to report for the Telegraph from around the world and to write his own regular column, often drawing on his work for the CARE charity which is devoted to helping the most unfortunate people in some of the world's most forsaken places. His last column was published on 3 August – "Darfur is as bad as Nazi Germany – and I know."

 

Bill Deedes was known personally to some members of this Association, who remember him as unfailingly modest and kind. He was widely admired for his lucid writing, his wisdom and his humanity.