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Former daily political editor dies aged 59 after cancer battle

Torben LeeAn “excellent” political editor who spent more than 20 years with a regional daily has died aged 59 after a cancer battle.

Tributes have been paid to Torben Lee, formerly of the Bristol Post, who had suffered from oesophageal cancer for 10 months.

Torben, pictured, was at the Post from 1988 to 2009, before going on to work for the Liberal Democrats.

Much of his Post career had been spent as a sub-editor, and he surprised the newsroom when making the move to political writing.

Current Post editor Mike Norton said: “Torben was an excellent political editor. He was also a very good writer.

“The only thing which hindered him was his self-doubt, but that was part of what made him so good.”

Torben’s career began on the Western Gazette, in Yeovil, and he also spent time on the Swindon Advertiser.

From 2009 to 2014 he worked for the Liberal Democrat group on Bristol City Council.

Lib Dem whip Councillor Tim Kent said: “He was one of the best people I ever worked with – funny, sarcastic, dedicated. We used to joke that he could write a ‘Yes Councillor’ like ‘Yes Minister’ – but no one would believe it.

“Torben kept us sane; he was also always willing to provide a reality check for us – whether wanted or not.”

Torben and his wife Judy, who have three adult sons, Oliver, Tom and Jamie, moved to Cornwall three years ago.

3 comments

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  • April 17, 2018 at 8:27 am
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    Torben was a “one-off” – a real character, a talented journalist and the kind of person every newsroom should have in its ranks.

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  • April 17, 2018 at 9:47 am
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    self-doubt indeed. surprising how many modest and excellent journos like this one possess this “quality”. It inhibits arrogance and pomposity. RIP.

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  • April 17, 2018 at 11:07 am
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    Agree 100 per cent with Mike Lowe’s comments. Don’t know many sub-editors who have reinvested themselves as political writers. Thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

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