Simon Hoggart, the Guardian journalist known for his witty parliamentary sketches and as a former host of Radio 4's The News Quiz, has died aged 67 from pancreatic cancer, the newspaper has confirmed. He passed away on Sunday at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer three and a half years ago.
Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger paid tribute, saying: 'Simon was a terrific reporter and columnist - and a great parliamentary sketch writer. He wrote with mischief and a sometimes acid eye about the theatre of politics. But he wrote from a position of sophisticated knowledge and respect for Parliament.' Rusbridger added that Hoggart's daily sketches revealed aspects of Westminster that no news story could convey.
Hoggart gave up his Saturday column in December following complications from his condition and further chemotherapy. His final article, a review of the year, appeared on 19 December and covered the death of Margaret Thatcher, the birth of Prince George, and the resurrection of the idea of leaving the EU. In a November column, he wrote about his illness: 'I've been off sick for the past week or so. It's a weird experience being at home, alone for the most part - like being a goldfish in a bowl of treacle.'
Tributes came from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'Westminster has lost one of its funniest parliamentary observers. Simon was an acute and witty recorder of British politics and one of the pioneers of the art of sketchwriting.' Former prime minister Tony Blair called it 'a very sad moment for UK journalism', while Labour leader Ed Miliband described Hoggart as a 'brilliant and funny writer'. Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, a frequent target of Hoggart's sketches, noted: 'He teased me mercilessly but always kindly.'
BBC political editor Nick Robinson called Hoggart 'a giant amongst political commentators', adding: 'Few could match his wit and wisdom. He often laughed at politicians. He sometimes laughed with them. However, he never ever sneered at them.' Gwyneth Williams, controller of BBC Radio 4, said he would be remembered 'most fondly for his contribution to the News Quiz', which he hosted for 10 years until 2006.
