An editor who was involved in running a daily newspaper for almost a quarter of a century has died aged 85.

Tributes have been paid to Roy Lilley, who edited the Belfast Telegraph from 1974 to 1992.

He subsequently became editorial director of the Bel Tel, spending six years in that role before retiring in 1998.

Roy, pictured, was editor of the newspaper when its office was bombed by the IRA in September 1976, killing one staff member. The next day his defiant front page headline was ‘Our Answer’.

No fewer than four of Roy’s successors as Bel Tel editor – Ed Curran, Martin Lindsey, Gail Walker and Eoin Brannigan – have added their tributes.

Ed, who was Roy’s deputy for 14 years before succeeding him, told the paper: “I saw at first hand his courage and resilience in the darkest and most violent years of the Troubles.

“He read virtually every line of every edition, meticulously ensuring that the paper’s reporting of dangerous, divisive events was reflected in the highest standards of fair, unbiased journalism.

“He was held in the highest esteem within the UK and the Irish media industry, not least for his brave, unswerving pursuit of impartial, balanced journalism in a divided society.”

Martin added: “The paper under Roy’s stewardship continued to flourish and was read in homes in both unionist and nationalist areas. None of this could have been achieved without his razor-sharp mind. As a journalist he was decades ahead of his time.

“He was a man with great integrity and an insight into what would work or not work in our ever-changing political landscape.”

Gail, editor from 2015 to 2020, said: “If you call to mind the qualities of the classic newspaper editor —tough, quick-witted, brave, a bit eccentric, full of integrity, kind and committed to the true story – then you are thinking of Roy Lilley.

“Joining his newsroom as a rookie reporter was a daunting prospect, but Roy was a gentleman and an encouraging editor.”

And current editor Eoin said: “I can think of few more challenging editor’s jobs in these islands than that of trying to locate and negotiate a middle ground in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. Roy managed to achieve that with the Belfast Telegraph, despite the obvious dangers.

“I didn’t have the pleasure of working with him, but I know from the many stories I’ve heard it would have been a privilege. My sympathies go out to his wife Georgina and all of his family.”

Roy had begun his career as a trainee reporter at the Larne Times and joined the Bel Tel in 1959.

He was the political correspondent from 1962 to 1964 and from 1967 to 1968, spending two years in London as the Westminster lobby correspondent of Thomson Regional Newspapers in between.

On his return to Northern Ireland he became a Belfast Telegraph leader writer, assistant editor, deputy editor and finally editor.

Roy, who had suffered a long illness, is survived by his wife Georgina, his daughters Claire and Rozalind, his sons-in-law Giles and Nigel, and his grandchildren Abigail, Oliver and Lily.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at Abbey Presbyterian Church in Monkstown, County Antrim, at 2pm on February 22, following a cremation earlier in the day.