Tributes paid to 'radical pioneer'

TRIBUTES have been paid to a legendary figure in British media who was born in Macclesfield.

- BY JAMIE GREER

Sir Andreas Whittam-Smith after he was awarded a Knighthood

Sir Andreas Whittam Smith was one of the co-founders of The Independent in 1986, regarded as the first in the history of Fleet Street not to have a permanent allegiance to a political party.

A family spokesperson announced Sir Andreas's death on November 29, saying that he was “surrounded by family until the end” and that he would be “dearly missed”.

He is survived by his wife, two children and three grandsons.

Sir Andreas worked at a range of British papers including the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph before founding The Independent.

He later became the president of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), allowing provocative films such as A Clockwork Orange and The Exorcist to be released on video for the first time.

Sir Andreas was born in Macclesfield on June 13, 1937 but his family moved to Birkenhead when he was a child. His dad, Canon JE Smith, was a Church of England vicar and his parish covered the town.