Nicholas Watt

Watt attended King's College School in Wimbledon before studying History at the University of York between 1986 and 1989, going on to study for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism Studies at the University of Wales between 1989 and 1990.[1]

Watt began his career as a political reporter based in Belfast working for The Times as Ireland Correspondent, covering the initial stages of the peace process.[2][3]

In 1997, he was based in London following his appointment as political correspondent for The Times,[3] before joining The Guardian a year later where he worked as European editor and chief political correspondent.[2][3] Between 2007 and 2008, he was the acting political editor of The Observer.[3]

In 2012, he appeared on Press Gazette's list of the 'top 50 political reporters', at number 14.[4]

In 2016, Watt left The Guardian to become political editor of Newsnight on BBC Two, replacing Allegra Stratton.[2] The editor of Newsnight at the time was also a former Guardian employee, Ian Katz, who said that Watt was "one of the most trusted, authoritative and engaging journalists in the country. With a background in Northern Ireland, Europe and Westminster he's also uniquely equipped to guide viewers through an increasingly fractured and complex political landscape." A number of BBC journalists were reported to be "annoyed" with the director of BBC News, James Harding, appointing figures with backgrounds in the newspaper industry, including Watt, to BBC posts.[5]

In March 2019, he recounted a comment with strong language made by an anonymous cabinet minister under Theresa May.[6]

In June 2021, Watt was harassed during a COVID-19 anti-lockdown demonstration outside Downing Street. Footage of his treatment was widely shared on social media and condemned by Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel.[7]