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Ian Craig, MEN's political editor for 25 years, passes away
The regional newspaper industry will have been saddened to learn of the death of Ian Craig, the former political editor of the Manchester Evening News, over the weekend.
Craig, who was found dead at his London home on Friday, left the GMG-owned paper earlier this year after a tenure of 25 years in the lead political role.
He began his career with the Liverpool Echo and worked with the paper through the 70s and into the 80s as its local government correspondent.
In 1984 he switched to the MEN and built a solid reputation within Westminster as a respected and hard working professional.
Former London editor at the MEN Ian Wylie said of his passing: "Ian was a kind and considerate man who was hugely respected at Westminster. We worked alongside each other for the best part of a quarter of a century and I was also lucky enough to count him as a friend.
"In all that time we never once had a cross word. The number of shocked colleagues paying tribute to him is a mark of what a lovely man he was."
Craig, who was still contributing to the MEN on a freelance basis, interviewed five Prime Ministers - Jim Callaghan, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - in his time and co-authored a book with Brendan O'Malley about the 1974 conflict in Cyprus, entitled The Cyprus Conspiracy.
He was 64 years of age.
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A great contribution to regional political journalism. A helpful man and good company. A sad loss indeed
Ian's loss is sad news for the North West and for political journalism. He was always courteous, accurate and fun to be alongside. He is sadly missed.
64. Isn't it sad how so many journos don't live long enough to draw their pensions? Is it because of stress or an unhealthy lifestyle or some other factors? I think Brian Whittle of Cavendish Press was only 58 when he died of a heart attack. Any journos reading this should think seriously about their health, especially in the current climate where managements are pushing harder than ever.
A consummate journalist and a gentleman in every sense of the word, it was a privilege to work with Ian. He will be sadly missed.
That's really sad. Ian was a great journalist and lived and breathed his art.
The MEN will be weaker for his loss.
Thoughts are with his nearest and dearest.
Ian's death is a great, great loss. He was one of the great political journalists of his generation, with an outstanding record in both local and national politics. He was quite, thoughtful, intelligent and hugely calm under pressure. It was a privilege to be friends with him for more than 35 years. And the genuine outpouring of grief and happy memories has been unbelievable. He will be truly missed.