The late Andreas Whittam Smith, a towering figure in British journalism, was a man of profound contradictions. To the satirical magazine Private Eye, he was 'Saint Andreas', a moniker that captured his reputation for unyielding principle but overlooked the steely, calculating strategist beneath the donnish exterior. As the founding editor of The Independent, he carved a unique path through the shark-infested waters of Fleet Street, prioritising editorial integrity above all else.
A Cerebral Vision for a New Newspaper
Whittam Smith, alongside fellow ex-Telegraph journalists Stephen Glover and Matthew Symonds, launched The Independent in 1986. His vision was clear and cerebral: to create a newspaper positioned above its rivals in both tone and quality. He aimed to fill a gap he perceived among the broadsheets, believing Rupert Murdoch was taking The Times down-market. The result was a publication famed for its superb black-and-white photography, innovative layouts, and rigorous reporting.
Physically tall and stooped, with a soft, hesitant delivery, Whittam Smith cultivated an intellectual, patrician air. His manner in meetings was famously deceptive; he would listen intently as others spoke before delivering his definitive verdict. This style cemented his authority, fostering a culture where The Independent was a collective – but with Andreas firmly in charge.
Principles Over Profit: The Commercial Sacrifices
Despite his own City background, Whittam Smith often appeared uncommercial, or rather, possessed of such a fixed ideal for his creation that he would not be swayed. Sales and revenue were something of an afterthought to the editorial team, whom he ring-fenced from commercial pressures. Any suggestion of compromising the paper's independence for monetary gain was strictly off limits.
This stance had dramatic consequences. In a now-legendary episode, he gathered staff to announce that while Murdoch was slashing the price of The Times, The Independent would increase its own cover price. He believed quality readers would pay more, but the move cost the paper almost a third of its sales overnight. His commitment was further illustrated when he rejected a lucrative reader offer from the Savoy Group of hotels, declaring such tie-ups were not for his Independent.
Ruthlessness and the Guardian of Standards
Beneath the principled exterior lay a ruthless streak. He once attempted to buy The Observer with the sole intention of closing it and merging it with the Indy, even chilling champagne in his office fridge for the occasion. He was furious when Tiny Rowland sold it to The Guardian instead.
He was also a fierce protector of his journalists and standards. He could not abide bullying, standing firmly behind his staff against complaints from powerful figures like Mohamed Fayed. His high-level contacts often meant he knew more than his reporters, but he would only offer subtle encouragement, never dictating stories. His famous comment to a reporter in a lift – 'You're on the right lines' – was typical of his supportive but restrained style.
Later, as a non-executive director and spiritual figurehead, his influence remained potent. In a telling anecdote, while pitching to a potential Kuwaiti investor with then-editor Chris Blackhurst, Whittam Smith proudly stated that on no day in its history had The Independent made a penny in profit. The bemused billionaire swiftly lost interest, a commercial sacrifice Whittam Smith accepted without regret.
Andreas Whittam Smith's legacy is that of a purist who redefined quality in British newspapers. He created a beacon for independence that inspired loyalty and sacrifice from his staff, proving that principle, however costly, could indeed have a place on Fleet Street.
