FLEET Street legend Bill Newman, one of the original team of journalists who launched The Sun newspaper in September 1964, has died after a short illness.
He was 83.
In a long career over half a century, Bill served as deputy News Editor, Managing Editor and then as The Sun’s Ombudsman dealing with readers’ queries.
Former Sun Editor Stuart Higgins recalls: “Bill Newman was a key part of what was probably one of the greatest newsdesk operations in Fleet Street.”
Bill Newman was a founding member of the Independent Press Standard Organisation and a leading figure in the Journalists’ Charity which was established by Charles Dickens in 1864.
Bill was a reporter on the Birmingham Evening Despatch before moving to Fleet Street and joining The Sun before it was taken over by Rupert Murdoch.
He was a popular figure in Fleet Street’s favourite journalist’s pub El Vino and The Garrick Club where he was famous as a wine buff and bon viveur.
He is survived by his barrister wife, Patricia.
