WTFC Episode 4 – A Tribute to Patrick O'Flynn

When The Facts Change - Episode 4

In this episode of When the Facts Change, I’m doing something different – not talking about economics and politics in a fast-moving world or wrestling with various policy conundrums. Instead, this episode pays tribute to a personal and professional friend – not just from me, but from a host of leading figures from the UK’s print media and some politicians too.

On 21st May, I wrote a Facebook post in memory of Patrick O’Flynn – who had died the day before from liver cancer. He was just 59.

I first met Patrick in 1996, when he was Political Editor at The Daily Express and I was starting out in journalism, based at Westminster for The Financial Times. Patrick’s talent and sharp intellect were immediately apparent. He had economic expertise – the subject of his Cambridge degree – but also serious political nous and an instinctive feel – depressingly rare among journalists these days – for public sentiment and the national mood.

Patrick had strong opinions – but they were built on research and observation, rather than ideology or dogma. His views were heartfelt and firmly held - but never prevented him from giving others a fair hearing or thinking he had nothing to learn. He had many journalistic comrades and played a pivotal role in Brexit.

But just as he embraced his intellectual allies, Patrick sought out and respected those with whom he disagreed - which is why, when news broke of his death, there was an outpouring of tributes, reflecting his many friendships across the political spectrum.

Attending Patrick’s funeral on 16th June, the huge congregation gathered afterwards outside Mortlake Crematorium in West London and at a reception later that day. It struck me this was an exceptional gathering of journalists, some real characters from the days of Fleet Street, legends of the Parliamentary Lobby and the Westminster Press Gallery where Patrick made his name.

So, having asked his family, I moved among the funeral crowd recording tributes on my mobile phone. Pretty soon, there was a queue of people who wanted to contribute. So I’ve pulled these tributes together here – so his memory can be preserved not just in the millions of words he published and the countless TV appearances, but also in the form of heartfelt messages from some of his friends.

Patrick O’Flynn isn’t particularly famous. But he was an exceptionally talented and extremely important journalist. And here’s some messages that, as we say in journalism, “stand up" Patrick’s story. They’re raw, largely unedited and recorded against the bustle and buzz of a room full of journalists chatting, drinking, debating and laughing. I suspect as Patrick would have wanted.

On this podcast, you'll head a lot of high praise from Patrick's friends and "enemies" from across her political spectrum. A common theme among them wasn't just his brains and charm, but also his raw political intelligence and, above all, his prescience: "the man who could see around corners" ....

He has been taken from us far, far too young. I will miss him enormously and send my deepest condolences to Carole Ann and his family

Patrick O’Flynn 29.08.65 - 20.05.25

00:00 – Liam Halligan Introduction
3:15 – Nigel Farage MP, Leader, Reform UK
4:50 – Peter Allen, ex Daily Mail, Guardian, LBC
5:40 – Nigel Morris, ex-Daily Mirror, Independent, The i and Birmingham Post
6:23 – Paul Gilfeather, ex-The Sun, ex-Daily Mirror
8:43 – Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent Sky News, ex-Daily Express
11:18 – Kirsty Walker, ex-Daily Express
12:45 – Katie Eustice, ex-Daily Express
13:23 – George Eustice, ex Tory MP, Former Chief Press Officer to David Cameron
15:27 – Ross Clark, Spectator, Daily Express Columnist
16:09 – Virgina Blackburn, ex-Daily Express
16:42 – Justin Urquhart Stewart, financial commentator
17:12 – Peter Hill, ex-Editor Daily Express, ex-Editor Daily Star
19:25 – James Hardy, ex-Daily Mirror, ex-BBC
21:35 – Julia Hartley Brewer, ex-Sunday Express, Talk Radio
22:15 – Bob Roberts, Ex-Daily Mirror, Former Labour Party Head of Communications
23:30 – Harry Cole, The Sun
21:12 – David Wooding, ex-The Sun, ex-News of the World, ex-Sunday Express
25:32 – Gawain Towler, ex Head of Press, UKIP
26:17 – Jonathan Isaby, ex-BBC, ex-Editor Brexit Central
27:42 – Belinda de Lucy, ex-Brexit party MEP
29:43 – Suzanne Evans, ex Deputy Chair, UKIP
30:13 – Alex Phillips, ex-Brexit party MEP
31:49 – Henry Boulton, ex-UKIP leader
33:00 – William Clouston, Leader, SDP
33:59 – Outro

Subscribe to my Substack: When the Facts Change
https://liamhalligan.substack.com/

Read my columns in The Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/l...