David Conn’s winning entry was ‘Revealed: Conservative peer Michelle Mone and her family secretly received millions from "VIP lane" PPE firm’.
Conn’s investigation uncovered how Baroness Mone and her three adult children had been secretly paid £29m from the profits from PPE contracts. The PPE company she was linked to is now under investigation.
The 2023 awards ceremony was hosted at BAFTA by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, who said: “The headline writes itself: ‘It’s a Conn!’”
Pádraig Reidy, chair of the judges, said: “With so many brilliant stories this year, it was a pleasure to be reminded of the great work done by reporters across the UK. David Conn's winning investigation stood out for its detail, care and impact – and serves as a reminder that perseverance is one of the most important qualities a reporter can have.”
This year’s judging panel, chaired by Reidy, of Little Atoms, comprised Julia Langdon, political journalist and broadcaster; Sir Simon Jenkins, The Guardian; Helen Lewis, The Atlantic; Francis Wheen, Private Eye (retired); Matt Foot, criminal defence solicitor; Kim Sengupta, The Independent; Janine Gibson, Financial Times; and Hannah Al-Othman and David Collins, The Sunday Times, winners of the 2022 Paul Foot Award.
Set up in memory of renowned journalist Paul Foot, who died in 2004, the award honours the UK’s most brilliant, talented and determined journalists working in the fields of investigative and campaigning journalism today, says Private Eye.
The Shortlist
Phil Coleman
Newsquest Cumbria
Human rights group condemns "dangerous" police taser use
Police bodycam footage acquired by reporter Phil Coleman revealed how officers had tasered a Cumbrian man suffering a mental health crisis, causing serious injuries.
Paul Morgan-Bentley
The Times
British Gas breaking into the homes of the vulnerable
Paul Morgan-Bentley's undercover work detailed the callous, forceful installation of expensive pre-paid energy meters in the homes of vulnerable people, prompting swift political action.
Gabriel Pogrund, Harry Yorke
The Sunday Times
The BBC chairman, the prime minister and the £800,000 loan guarantee
Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke revealed how Richard Sharp was appointed BBC chairman weeks after helping Boris Johnson secure a loan of up to £800,000. The Sunday Times's investigation led to Sharp's eventual resignation.
Matt Shea, Jamie Tahsin, Tim Hume
Vice World News
The dangerous rise of Andrew Tate
Vice World News's investigation into misogynist online influencer Andrew Tate found that the UK authorities missed opportunities to prosecute him for sexual offences.
Hannah Summers
The Observer/the Guardian
The use of unregulated psychologists in the family courts
Hannah Summers, working in tandem with Beatrix Campbell, documented how unregulated "experts" are allowed to testify as credible witnesses on the controversial subject of "parental alienation" in family court cases.
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