A stalwart regional press journalist who recently retired has had the rare accolade of being praised in a House of Commons motion.

Peter Young hung up his notebook last month after 33 years at Newcastle’s Evening Chronicle, the last 25 of which were spent reporting on local and national politics.

In the course of his long career he also worked for the Birmingham Evening Mail, the Express and Star, Wolverhampton, and the Shields Gazette, South Shields.

North-East MPs paid him a Parliamentary tribute by signing a Commons motion wishing him well on his retirement.

Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, who tabled the motion, said Peter “was always a man in whom you could put your confidence.”

“He had a good sense of humour and represented the very best of journalism in this country,” he added.

Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland said: “Peter Young has been around in politics in the North East as long as I have.

“He is a good, straight-forward journalist and in my experience he is always more interested in the facts of a story than sensationalism.”

Chronicle editor Paul Robertson said: “Peter is one of the most professional people I have ever had the pleasure to work with.

“His copy was always clean and accurate and he has a contacts book which is the envy of many.

“He took his role as watchdog very seriously and was trusted by both those he dealt with professionally and Chronicle readers.

“We wish him a happy retirement and his shoes will take some filling.”

Comments

Scott Armstrong (05/02/2009 16:27:25)
The Chronicle’s loss is perhaps the Bacchus pub’s gain All the best for the future to Pete, quality journalist, quality guy.