The journalist who led the way in exposing the phone-hacking scandal has won this year’s Paul Foot Award for campaigning journalism.

Nick Davies, of The Guardian, won the £5,000 prize after being chosen from a shortlist that also included Jon Austin, of The Echo, Basildon.

Jon, who receives £1,000 as one of the runners-up, had been nominated for a series of articles about the eviction of the Dale Farm travellers.

Announcing the award, Private Eye editor Ian Hislop praised the standard of investigative journalism across the whole industry including the local press.

Said Ian:  “Once again, the flourishing scale, and high standard of writing of investigative journalism, not just on our national newspapers but also on local papers, in magazines and in the trade press, as well as from independent campaigners, has been hugely impressive.

“At a time when some commentators are suggesting that the entire press has lost its way, the shortlist for this Award clearly demonstrates that the spirit of Foot’s style of journalism is alive, well and kicking the people who matter.

“Nick Davies is a thoroughly deserving winner of this year’s Paul Foot Award for an outstanding piece of work that has produced extraordinary results.

“This Award is recognition of the cheering truth that the best journalism exposed the worst.”

Nick Davies, right, receives his award from Ian Hislop.