Philip Webster

The son of a farmer in Norfolk, Webster was educated at Wymondham College.[1] He entered a National Council for the Training of Journalists course run by Harlow College in 1968.[2]

Webster supports Norwich City F.C..[1]

Webster began his career at the Eastern Daily Press in Norwich.[3] After three years he joined The Times,[2] of which he recalled:

I was helped when a senior staffer at The Times noticed that I could write shorthand pretty fast and hired me, virtually on the spot, to report in Parliament.[3]

Initially a press gallery reporter from 1973,[1] Webster went on to join The Lobby as a political reporter in 1981. He became chief political correspondent of The Times in 1986 and political editor in 1992.[2] He stood down as political editor after the 2010 general election,[3] and was appointed Europe editor,[4] and editor of thetimes.co.uk.[3] In 2013 he was digital opinions editor and deputy head of news.[2] He was later editor of The Times' Red Box political bulletin.[5]

Webster retired on 13 January 2016 after a 43-year career at The Times,[5] though it was reported that he would continue to write for the paper "on a casual basis".[1] Webster's book about his time in journalism, Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit, was released later that year.[6]

• Webster, Philip (2016). Inside Story: Politics, Intrigue and Treachery from Thatcher to Brexit. William Collins. ISBN 978-0008201333.