Some of Britain’s top politicians have paid tribute to former BBC journalist Mike Baker, who lived in Clayhidon. Baker, BBC education correspondent for many years, had fought a long and courageous battle against lung cancer – much of which he detailed in an award-winning blog.
David Blunkett, former Labour education secretary, said: “Mike Baker was not only one of the nicest journalists I ever met, but one of the most thorough and reliable.”
“He mixed a total commitment to his love of education with a journalistic eye for detail but complemented this with his academic ability and therefore knowledge in depth. This enabled him to be able to distinguish between trendy clap trap, and genuine educational innovation and newsworthy development. He will be sorely missed.”
Among many other ministers who have paid tribute to his professionalism are former education secretary Baroness Estelle Morris, Universities Minister David Willetts and Head of BBC Newsgathering Fran Unsworth.
“His brand of professionalism sought to explain and probe not merely to score points or to sensationalise. That’s why he had a reputation of being trusted, respected and admired, ” commented Baroness Morris.
Last year his online column for the Guardian won him the Best Online Education Commentary award at a ceremony in the House of Commons. The blog on his own website won the 2011 CIPRA National Journalism Award for Best Online Commentary on Education.
The same website carried his cancer blog, a candid, fearless and often deeply moving account of his illness, which he continued writing until just before his death.
Details of a memorial service will be announced later.
Full obituary at http://www.clayhidon.org.uk/home
Blunkett tribute for Mike Baker
