Washington Post attacks new editor over blagger

The Washington Post has published an investigation that accuses its own future editor of using the work of a self-described blagger who stole private records to order.

- Jim Waterson

Under the headline "Incoming Post editor tied to self-described 'thief' who claimed role in his reporting", the newspaper claimed that Robert Winnett used material from John Ford while a journalist on the Sunday Times during the 2000s.

Winnett, who runs the Daily Telegraph's newsroom, is due to become the editor of the Washington Post in the autumn. If the British journalist does take up the post, he will inherit a publication in turmoil, staffed by journalists who have been digging through his record as a reporter.

The Washington Post's near 3,000word report relies heavily on a 2018 interview with Ford published by the Guardian, in which the former actor gave examples of his extensive work as a "blagger" for the Sunday Times. The US outlet has now directly linked some of these examples to Winnett, who worked at the Sunday Times before moving to the Telegraph. It suggests exclusive stories by Winnett about a takeover of Leeds United, Tony Blair's finances, and the client list for a new Mercedes-Benz model were all connected to Ford.