Press Gazette names the best scoops in British journalism, 1922-1995

Posted by Liz Webber on July 3, 2009 at 4:31 PM

For its July magazine, Press Gazette has compiled the top 50 best scoops in UK journalism from 1922 to 1995. The original impetus for the list was the Daily Telegraph's stunning work covering the MPs' expense reports, and draws from suggestions by Press Gazette readers.

Unfortunately, the complete rankings are only available to subscribers, but editor Dominic Ponsford has put together his personal top five, in chronological order:

1. "The Tragedy of Guernica" - The Times - 1937
The harrowing first-hand account of the demolition of the Spanish town foreshadowed what German warplanes would do in World War II. The attack served as inspiration for Picasso's celebrated work.

2. "Khruschev denounces Stalin" - Reuters (John Rettie) - 1956
John Rettie was the sole reporter to find an eyewitness source to the shocking revelation at a secret Soviet meeting. When protests erupted in Budapest later that year, they were in part due to Khruschev's remarks.

3. "Biggs Arrested" - The Daily Express (Colin Mackenzie) - 1974
The long arm of the law finally caught up with the Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs in Rio de Janeiro, and Colin Mackenzie was there to record every move. Ingrained in popular culture with a best-selling book and feature film, this story still makes headlines today, as Biggs was denied parole this week.

4. "The real McKinney" - Daily Mirror (Barry Wigmore, Roger Beam, Frank Palmer, Tony Delano and photographer Kent Gavin) - 1978
The Mirror's team reported from both sides of the Atlantic to earn multiple scoops on Joyce McKinney's kidnapping of a Mormon missionary. Colorful details included nude photos and McKinney evading trial by escaping to the US dressed as a nun.

5. "Revealed: The secrets of Israel's nuclear arsenal" - Sunday Times (Peter Hounam) - 1986
Peter Hounam's source for this article, Mordechai Vanunu, was picked up by a Mossad operative after spilling the beans on his country's atomic capabilities and ultimately held by the Israeli government for almost 20 years.

Press Gazette is planning a sequel to the current list for the greatest scoops from 1995 to the present day. Readers can again send in nominations via the website.

Source: Press Gazette