'A giant of British science journalism': Steve Connor dies

Steve Connor, the multi-award-winning former science editor of The Independent, has died after a long illness.

Days before he passed away on Wednesday, with his wife Ines and step-daughter Marsha at his side, Steve had been nominated for yet another award, by the prestigious Foreign Press Association, for his world exclusive about the possible dawn of “designer babies”.

He won the British science writers’ award five times, UK health journalist of the year three times, was named UK Science Journalist of The Year in 2016, and was four times highly commended as specialist journalist of the year in the UK Press Awards.

Yet it was all achieved with a minimum of fuss and a complete absence of boasting. Although he had earned the right to be considered a star writer, junior colleagues with a fraction of his experience would find Steve treating them as equals.

Christian Broughton, editor of The Independent, said: “Steve was hugely admired throughout the industry, and was always held in the very highest esteem during his time with The Independent. His journalism rightly won him many awards, and brought us many great splashes.

“He commanded respect naturally, speaking quietly and calmly, always with accuracy and authority. A great journalist, and a great colleague, who will be sadly missed.”

Steve first arrived at The Independent in 1990 when he became science correspondent of The Independent on Sunday.

(THE INDEPENDENT)