Barry Askew (13 December 1936 – 17 April 2012[1]) was a British journalist, editor of several provincial papers, including the Lancashire Evening Post and briefly of the News of the World.
[3] At the Evening Post, Askew orchestrated investigations which uncovered abuses at Whittingham Hospital which started the ball rolling which ultimately led to the end of institutional care for people with mental illness.
[3] In 1979, a phone call intended for Askew and recorded by a receptionist at the paper's Fishergate headquarters created national headlines.
[5] The final straw came when in early December, he came into conflict with the Queen after claiming that if Princess Diana felt harassed by press photographers she should send a servant out to shop for her.
[5] Not much is known of his private life, however, a secret relationship with a young Sheffield nurse did result in the birth of their son David in October 1965.