Tributes paid to 'radical pioneer' with Merseyside connection

Sir Andreas Whittam-Smith in 2015 (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Tributes have been paid to a legendary figure in British media who grew up in Merseyside. Sir Andreas Whittam Smith was one of the co-founders of The Independent in 1986, regarded as the first in the history of Fleet Street not to have a permanent allegiance to a political party.

A family spokesperson announced Sir Andreas's death on November 29, saying that he was "surrounded by family until the end" and that he would be "dearly missed". He is survived by his wife, two children and three grandsons.

Sir Andreas worked at a range of British papers including the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph before founding The Independent. He later became the president of the British Board of Film Classi