Francis Halewood

Francis Halewood, a former deputy editor of the Today programme who went on to be chief spin doctor for the Tories in the 1990s, has died; he was in his mid-70s.

He was born in England, but moved to New Zealand aged just 3, where he stayed til he was 26. He went to Onslow College and then Victoria University of Wellington. His BBC career started in the early 70s in the World Service, but, after another break in New Zealand, he was soon part of the World At One/PM team on Radio 4.

He edited the Radio 4 overnight election coverage of 1987, presented by Brian Redhead and Susannah Simons - easy-peasy, with Thatcher's second landslide declared at 0235 hours. He moved to Today as Deputy Editor. Large, jovial and well-turned out, Francis was described in the press as a "civilised luncher"; he knew his wine; he liked barathea blazers in winter and seersucker jackets in summer, with appropriate brogues; his musical tastes were blues and opera.

In the balancing act of preparing the Today Programme, Francis would occasionally day edit, ready to hand over a typed list of 'prospects' to the incoming night editor at 8pm. In those days you needed a list of around 20 items to fill all the slots in the two-and-a-half show; Francis' lists were sometimes a little sketchy, and occasionally totalled below 15. And, when tested, some of those 'prospects' were really suggestions e.g. "You might like to ring the Labour Party about xxxx".

Nonetheless Francis inspired confidence, with a Kiwi-accented cheerful and robust approach to the rough and tumble of daily current affairs. With the arrival of Roger Mosey as Editor, Rod Liddle followed behind soon, and the pair circled each other, largely with civility. If the rota ever suggested there might be a Halewood-Liddle handover, staff would occasionally come in on off-duty days, just to see the sparks.

When Mosey moved off to 5Live in October 1996, the bi-media BBC brought Jon Barton in to run Today. Not long after, Francis resigned, aged 53, and emerged as Director of Operations for the Conservative Party in February 1997, ahead of the election which John Major lost. After the defeat, Francis moved up to acting Director of Communications at Central Office, but left in September.

He spent three years with Bell Pottinger, and then worked as a PR consultant and advisor on his own, moving from Putney to Kent.