PM leads tributes to former broadcaster Cole

His family announced the 
death of the broadcaster who spent 10 years with the BBC after a lengthy career in newspapers and was famed for his impartial approach and his distinctive Ulster accent .

He died at his Surrey home on Thursday and is survived by his wife Madge, four sons – Donald, Patrick, David and Michael – and nine grandchildren.

His family said: “While many people will remember John for his journalism and broadcasting, for us he was the most loving, funny and devoted husband, father and grandfather. We will miss him terribly, but have so many memories of the tremendous happiness he has brought into our lives.”

David Cameron’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister is deeply saddened by the news and would send his condolences, of course, to Mr Cole’s family and friends.

“He is someone who contributed so much to British political life.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband wrote on Twitter: “My generation grew up watching John Cole. He conveyed the drama and importance of politics. Many condolences to his family.”

As the face of the BBC’s political coverage during the Thatcher years, he covered major stories including the Falklands War, the Brighton bomb and Margaret Thatcher’s resignation as prime minister.

The BBC’s current political editor, Nick Robinson, said Cole’s death was “sad news”.

Writing on Twitter, he said: “The man I learnt so much from, the BBC’s former political editor John Cole, has died. He shaped the way all in my trade do our jobs.”

Former Cabinet minister and chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, said: “John Cole was a hugely respected BBC political editor, whose absolute integrity and astute analysis, to say nothing of his distinctive delivery, defined political reporting in the ’80s. My thoughts are with his family.”

Cole was born in Belfast in 1927 and started his career on the Belfast Telegraph in 1945 before joining The Guardian, where he worked as labour correspondent, news editor and eventually deputy editor.

In 1975 he joined The Observer before moving to the BBC in 1981.

He retired after the 1992 general election and wrote his memoirs, As It Seemed To Me.