Trevor Kavanagh

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Trevor Michael Thomas Kavanagh (born 19 January 1943) is an English-born journalist and political commentator. He is best known for his long career at The Sun, where he served as political editor from 1983 to 2005 and later as associate editor. He retired in July 2024 after covering the United Kingdom general election.[1]

Early life and career

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Kavanagh was born in Southall, Middlesex, and educated at Reigate Grammar School.[2]

He left school at 17 to work for newspapers in Surrey and later Hereford. In 1965, he emigrated to Australia, working on several newspapers. After a short stint back in the United Kingdom with the Bristol Evening Post, he returned to Australia to work on the political desk of the Daily Mirror in Sydney.[3]

Career

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In 1978, he returned to the United Kingdom permanently, joining the news desk of The Sun. He became industrial correspondent in 1980 and political editor in 1983.[4]

In January 2004, Kavanagh published details of the Hutton Inquiry before its official release, based on information from an anonymous source.[5]

He covered his last UK general election as political editor in May 2005. Later that year, it was announced he would become associate editor of The Sun.[6] His successor as political editor was his deputy, George Pascoe-Watson.

In December 2015, Kavanagh joined the board of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).[7] He left the board in December 2017 after two years.[8]

Parliamentary press roles

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He served as Chairman of the House of Commons Press Gallery in 1999–2000.[9] He was also chairman of the Lobby journalists.[10]

Awards and recognition

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  • British Press Awards — Journalist of the Year (1997).[11]
  • British Press Awards — Specialist Reporter/Journalist of the Year (1997).[12]
  • What the Papers Say — Scoop of the Year (2000).[13]
  • What the Papers Say — Scoop of the Year (2004), for his Hutton report story.[14]
  • Political Studies Association — Political Journalist of the Year (2004).[15]
  • Foreign Press Association (London) — Print Story of the Year (2004).[16][17]
Note: The What the Papers Say Scoop of the Year (2002) went to the Mail on Sunday and Daily Mail for the "Cheriegate" revelations, not to Kavanagh.[18]

Controversies

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In February 2017, IPSO upheld a complaint against a column by Kavanagh about allegedly false refugee claims, describing the piece as "significantly misleading".[19]

In August 2017, he wrote a controversial Sun column referring to "The Muslim Problem", citing Labour MP Sarah Champion’s article the previous week.[20] The phrasing drew comparisons to Nazi-era language and led to a joint complaint by several faith groups, as well as a cross-party letter of protest signed by over 100 MPs.[21][22]

Articles

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Personal life

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Kavanagh is married and lives in London. He has two sons and three grandchildren. In July 2022, during an appearance on TalkTV, he stated that he holds an Australian passport which he might use "if Sadiq Khan becomes prime minister".[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Trevor Kavanagh retires: Fleet Street 'great' who stood up for arrested colleagues". Press Gazette. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  2. ^ "UK comment roundup: 14–20 March 2005" (PDF). Open Source Center (via fas.org). 20 March 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. ^ Leapman, Michael (9 April 2001). "The New Statesman Profile – Trevor Kavanagh". New Statesman. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. ^ Snoddy, Raymond (12 December 2005). "Trevor Kavanagh: Leader in the House". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  5. ^ Robinson, James (1 February 2004). "Clever Trevor rules roost". The Observer. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  6. ^ Snoddy, Raymond (12 December 2005). "Trevor Kavanagh: Leader in the House". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  7. ^ Turvill, William (23 December 2015). "Sun's Trevor Kavanagh appointed to board of IPSO". Press Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. ^ Mayhew, Freddy (12 January 2018). "Sun columnist Trevor Kavanagh steps down from board of press regulator IPSO". Press Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  9. ^ Modernisation of the House of Commons – First Report (1999–2000) (Report). House of Commons. 30 March 2000. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Jack Warden: Admired political journalist". The Independent. 14 August 2015. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  11. ^ Hagerty, Bill (10 March 1997). "Clever Trevor". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Trevor Kavanagh biography" (PDF). Political Studies Association. 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  13. ^ Greenslade, Roy (22 December 2000). "Roger Alton scoops best editor award". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Sun scoops Hutton leak award". The Guardian. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  15. ^ "PSA Awards 2004" (PDF). Political Studies Association. 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  16. ^ Hagerty, Bill (12 December 2004). "On the Press". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Excellence in Journalism Rewarded at FPA Awards in London". Getty Images. November 2004. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  18. ^ "What the Papers Say Awards 2002: The winners". The Guardian. 11 December 2002. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  19. ^ Ponsford, Dominic (24 February 2017). "IPSO board rebuke for Sun's Trevor Kavanagh as complaint against him is upheld". Press Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  20. ^ Cowburn, Ashley (15 August 2017). "More than 100 MPs demand action over Sun's 'Muslim Problem' article". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  21. ^ O'Grady, Sean (15 August 2017). "The Sun can't pretend saying we have a 'Muslim Problem' isn't reminiscent of Nazi propaganda". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  22. ^ Ponsford, Dominic (15 August 2017). "Campaigner unable to complain over Sun 'Muslim problem' piece because religious groups not covered by Editors' Code". Press Gazette. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Lifeblood of Democracy – Is Freedom of the Press Safe in Keir Starmer's Hands?". Free Speech Union. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Trevor Kavanagh on TalkTV". YouTube. 6 July 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2025.