Martin Brunt
Encyclopedia
Martin Edward Brunt is crime correspondent for Sky News
who joined the channel for its launch in 1989.
, in the small town of Soham
in Cambridgeshire
, in Southern England, followed by the London College of Printing, since renamed the London College of Communication
, where he studied magazine journalism.
), in London.
From there he was taken on as a junior reporter with the Chatham News and Chatham Standard newspapers in Kent and after training under editor Gerald Hinks left to join a news agency in Devon, followed by the Ferrari Agency in Dartford, Kent. From there he moved to the Sunday Mirror
and became chief reporter before being asked to join Sky News.
Early exclusive coverage included the Iraqis' retreat from Kuwait in the first Gulf War
.
Later, Brunt was first to break news of the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002 and the murder of television presenter Jill Dando
in 1999.
In 2005, he was first to report that the July 7 explosions in London were the work of terrorists.
Brunt has also reported from South Africa on the murder inquiry into "Adam", an unknown boy whose torso was found in the River Thames in 2001.
Brunt has a reputation for gaining insider information: Hugo Rifkind
reported in The Times diary of 22 December 2006:
Brunt was first to report the arrest of Amy Winehouse, the resignation of Sir Ian Blair, and was the first to interview Madeleine McCann suspect Robert Murat. His contacts also led to Sky News being first to report that the July 7 events in London were the work of terrorists and allowed Sky News to break the news of the death of the Queen Mother. In 2010, Martin reported live from Rothbury during the police hunt for gunman Raoul Moat.
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
who joined the channel for its launch in 1989.
Education
Brunt was educated at Soham Grammar School for Boys, since renamed Soham Village CollegeSoham Village College
Soham Village College is a state secondary school with specialist Foundation Technology College and Language College status in Soham, Cambridgeshire, England. It has around 1350 students, aged 11 to 16. It has a wide catchment area which does not include Ely, although some students from Ely and the...
, in the small town of Soham
Soham
Soham is a small town in the English county of Cambridgeshire. It lies just off the A142 between Ely and Newmarket . Its population is 9,102 , and it is within the district of East Cambridgeshire.-Archaeology:...
in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
, in Southern England, followed by the London College of Printing, since renamed the London College of Communication
London College of Communication
The London College of Communication is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, located in Elephant and Castle. It has about 5,000 students on 60 courses in media and design courses preparing students for careers in the creative industries...
, where he studied magazine journalism.
Life and career
After leaving the London College of Printing, Brunt first joined the editorial staff of Power Laundry and Cleaning News, owned by the International Publishing Corporation (IPCIPC
IPC may refer to:*International Poverty Centre, of the United Nations Development Programme*IPC International, a shopping center security company*Ikano Power Centre, a shopping mall in Mutiara Damansara, Selangor, Malaysia...
), in London.
From there he was taken on as a junior reporter with the Chatham News and Chatham Standard newspapers in Kent and after training under editor Gerald Hinks left to join a news agency in Devon, followed by the Ferrari Agency in Dartford, Kent. From there he moved to the Sunday Mirror
Sunday Mirror
The Sunday Mirror is the Sunday sister paper of the Daily Mirror. It began life in 1915 as the Sunday Pictorial and was renamed the Sunday Mirror in 1963. Trinity Mirror also owns The People...
and became chief reporter before being asked to join Sky News.
Early exclusive coverage included the Iraqis' retreat from Kuwait in the first Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
.
Later, Brunt was first to break news of the death of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 2002 and the murder of television presenter Jill Dando
Jill Dando
Jill Wendy Dando was an English journalist, television presenter and newsreader who worked for the BBC for 14 years. She was murdered by gunshot outside her home in Fulham, West London; her killer has never been identified....
in 1999.
In 2005, he was first to report that the July 7 explosions in London were the work of terrorists.
Brunt has also reported from South Africa on the murder inquiry into "Adam", an unknown boy whose torso was found in the River Thames in 2001.
Brunt has a reputation for gaining insider information: Hugo Rifkind
Hugo Rifkind
Hugo Rifkind is a columnist for The Times and The Spectator and the son of MP and former Conservative and Unionist Cabinet Minister, Sir Malcolm Rifkind.-Early life and education:...
reported in The Times diary of 22 December 2006:
- "High praise for the Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt. When a hack from (another) newspaper phoned Suffolk police press office with a query on the serial killer case, he was told: 'Call Martin Brunt. He knows everything before we do.' A little concerning."
Brunt was first to report the arrest of Amy Winehouse, the resignation of Sir Ian Blair, and was the first to interview Madeleine McCann suspect Robert Murat. His contacts also led to Sky News being first to report that the July 7 events in London were the work of terrorists and allowed Sky News to break the news of the death of the Queen Mother. In 2010, Martin reported live from Rothbury during the police hunt for gunman Raoul Moat.