Deaths announced of two political journalists
Tributes from across the political spectrum have been paid to Peter Madeley, the Express & Star’s political editor who has died at the age of 50 – just nine months after being diagnosed with cancer.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who briefly worked as a young reporter at the Wolverhampton-based newspaper in 1988, said: “He was an outstanding journalist who evidently loved his job and his beat. I know that he put up a long and valiant fight against his illness and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones today.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said; “The news of Pete’s passing is incredibly sad. A skilled reporter who held politicians to account with professionalism and personality, he was always a tireless champion of the Black Country.
Express & Star editor-in-chief Martin Wright, confirming Peter’s death in a post on X, said: “The number of tributes already paid to our political editor Peter Madeley is testament to the impact he had during his time as a journalist. He was a fearless reporter and a brilliant writer – but an even better person. A privilege to work alongside him. Thoughts with his family.”
Peter, who grew up in Dudley, was a latecomer to the world of journalism, having initially gone into teaching. But at the age of 39 he decided on a career change and took a journalism course at the City of Wolverhampton College before joining the Wolverhampton Chronicle as a reporter. Seven months later he was given a full-time reporting position on the Express & Star, afterwards becoming education reporter.
He took on the role of political editor in 2016 and since then had covered the Brexit referendum, the 2017 and 2019 general elections, the coronavirus outbreak, and the war in Ukraine,
Paying tribute, Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands, said: “Pete was a tenacious & feared journalist, and a master at holding those in power to account. But more importantly he was a thoroughly good man, who I was proud to work with,” while Dudley South MP Mike Wood said: “Extremely sad to hear that Express & Star political editor Pete Madeley has passed away. A very talented journalist and thoroughly decent guy who has been taken much too soon.”
A devoted father to Thalia, 19 and Elias, 15 and husband to Marina, Peter also leaves parents John and Patricia and sister Liz.
The death has also been announced of political reporter Tony Baker, described as “one of the North-East’s most eminent journalists. Aged 76, Tony began his career at the Northampton Chronicle & Echo before moving to the Rugby district office of the Coventry Evening Telegraph.
He then switched to broadcasting with BBC Radio Leicester and in 1973 secured an on-screen role at Border Television in Carlisle, going on to cover the North-East for the BBC almost 30 years. Tony later became the BBC’s North East political correspondent, giving up the role in 2004 when he decided to venture into film-making.
He is survived by children Kathryn, Rosie and Charlie, and grandchildren Maisie, Oliver, Jack, Joe and Eliot.
