Sky News Appoints Security Editor

Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 November 2010 17:04 Wednesday, 17 November 2010 17:04

Sky News has announced that documentary maker, author and former Middle East and Africa Bureau Chief at The Times, Sam Kiley, has joined the channel in the newly created position of Security Editor.

In the role, Sam will deliver insight and analysis on the defining news story of a generation – the ongoing security threat to the UK, both at home and abroad.

As security issues remain at the heart of public interest and at the top of the Whitehall agenda, Sam will be drawing on his expertise and extensive contacts within the intelligence community to bring the latest security stories and developments to Sky News customers across all its platforms - on TV, online, on mobile and on radio.

With an impeccable track record as a news-breaker in print, and as one of the world’s most well-informed people on security issues, Sam will keep viewers abreast of the heightened terrorist threat to the UK, particularly as London draws closer to the 2012 Olympics, and of the growing issue of cyber-attacks. Based in the Sky News studios, his sharp analysis and versatility on-screen will see Sam deliver the latest complex developments in an accessible way.

Sam has spent 20 years covering wars, and the last 10 covering British overseas conflicts, travelling to hotspots including Israel, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Mozambique, Sudan, Iraq and Pakistan. He also spent a full six month tour on the frontline in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the only journalist ever to have done so, and wrote the acclaimed book ‘Desperate Glory’ about his time on tour.

Sky News also announces today Niall Paterson’s appointment to the role of Defence Correspondent for the channel.

Following Niall’s highly successful track record as a Political Correspondent for Sky News, the move to Defence Correspondent will see him report on traditional defence stories around the Armed Forces, as well as defence politics inside the corridors of Whitehall. With his wealth of contacts within the Government, Niall’s new role will see him breaking exclusive stories, as well as explaining the latest strategies to come out of the Ministry of Defence. His reports will analyse topics such as the ongoing war in Afghanistan and plans for the withdrawal of British troops, international cooperation with countries on defence, and the perception of the UK as a leading power on the world stage.

Since working as a Political Correspondent, Niall has covered every recent political story. As he followed Gordon Brown on his 2010 election campaign trail, Niall broke the story of Mr Brown's 'bigot' comment about voter, Gillian Duffy. He reported on the MPs expenses scandal and broke the news live on air that Julie Kirkbride would not be standing again at election. Niall also broke the story of the police searching the MoD after a letter from the Defence Secretary Liam Fox to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, warning against spending cuts, was leaked. And following the story of fugitive Raoul Moat, Niall broke the news that the company that supplied Tasers used by police during the stand-off had its licence revoked by the Home Office.

Mark Evans, Head of Home News for Sky News said of the appointments: “Both Sam and Niall have already demonstrated they have the contacts and skills to deliver the kind of breaking news on which Sky News has made its name. But, more than that, each has positioned himself at the forefront of Sky News’ multi-media approach in the digital age. The fact that we have invested in these big-hitters shows Sky’s commitment to two of the most significant news briefs of the coming decade.”