Former BBC Newsnight correspondent Liz MacKean has died

Former BBC News Journalist Liz MacKean has died after suffering a stroke. She was 52.

The news was announced during Friday’s BBC News at Six.

She was the reporter on the expose of Sir Jimmy Savile as a paedophile which was controversially cancelled by the BBC in December, 2011. The decision to axe the Newsnight investigation became the subject of the Pollard Inquiry.

She and colleague Meirion Jones later won a London Press Club Scoop of the Year award for their work on the story. She also won the 2010 Daniel Pearl Award for her investigation of the Trafigura toxic dumping scandal.

After leaving the BBC, MacKean went freelance, and reported on the Cyril Smith case for Channel 4’s Dispatches series in September 2013.

Gifted BBC & Channel 4 reporter Liz MacKean has died, far too young. Loved by everyone she worked with. Hated by villains she turned over

— Meirion Jones (@MeirionTweets) August 18, 2017

The death has just been confirmed of Liz MacKean – fearless & award winning investigative TV journalist. Suffered a stroke far too young.

— Jonathan Munro (@jonathancmunro) August 18, 2017

I'm shocked an upset to hear that by former @BBCNewsnight colleague @lizmackean has passed away. What an incredible journalist and person

— Joe Lynam (@JoeBLynam) August 18, 2017

She lived with her partner and two children.