18 Facts About Julian Haviland

Julian Arthur Charles Haviland was a British print and broadcasting journalist whose career lasted over sixty years.

Julian Haviland was a lobby correspondent at Westminster for over twenty years, and was the political editor of Independent Television News and The Times newspaper.

Julian Arthur Charles Haviland was born on 8 June 1930, in the village of Iver Heath in Iver in Buckinghamshire.

Julian Haviland was the son of Major Leonard Proby Haviland of the 6th Duke of Connaught's Own Lancers and military secretary to the governor-general of New Zealand, and Helen Dorothea Fergusson, the daughter of General Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson.

Julian Haviland then joined the Johannesburg Star in South Africa as a reporter, where he learned to speak Afrikaans, returning to the UK in 1959.

Julian Haviland then joined The Daily Telegraph in London and was then a reporter for the London Evening Standard.

In 1961, Julian Haviland joined Independent Television News as a reporter and occasional newscaster.

Julian Haviland became ITN's political correspondent in 1965, and in 1975 its political editor.

Julian Haviland reported on the devaluation crisis facing Harold Wilson, the election of Edward Heath and the three-day week, and the subsequent return of Wilson to power.

Julian Haviland was the first person to interview Margaret Thatcher on her victory in the Conservative Party leadership contest on 11 February 1975.

Julian Haviland interviewed James Callaghan when he became prime minister a year later.

Julian Haviland was known on-screen for wearing a plain jersey below the jacket rather than the more formal attire of a waistcoat.

Julian Haviland was a member of the 1975 Houghton Committee, and co-wrote the minority report which persuaded Parliament not to introduce the state funding of political parties, as had been advocated by some members and suggested by others inside and outside Westminster.

In 1981, Julian Haviland joined The Times as political editor, reporting on the early problems facing Thatcher's first government.

Julian Haviland retired from daily print journalism in 1986, the year of the Wapping dispute between the newspaper's proprietor and the print unions.

Julian Haviland moved to Tomintianda, on the banks of Loch Tummel in Strathtummel in the Scottish Highlands, where he wrote two books and occasionally contributed to national political debate.

Julian Haviland attended a political reunion of ITN's past and present political editors in 2011, to bid farewell to a colleague of many years' standing, and the following year, the funeral of his former ITN colleague, David Walter.

Julian Haviland married Caroline Victoria Barbour, daughter of George Freeland Barbour, in September 1959; they had three sons.