CHAMPION OF JUSTICE; Sir Ludovic Kennedy, campaigner who helped end death penalty, dies at 89.Byline: EMILY NASH Nash , Ogden 1902-1971. American writer known for his droll epigrammatic verse, much of which appeared in the New Yorker. Noun 1. Nash - United States writer noted for his droll epigrams (1902-1971) Ogden Nash LEGENDARY TV presenter Sir Ludovic Kennedy, who helped abolish the death penalty in Britain, has died aged 89. The crusading journalist and author passed away peacefully at a nursing home in Salisbury after a lifetime battling injustice. And last night he was hailed by politicians and broadcasting colleagues as one of the great minds of his generation. As a young investigative writer, Sir Ludovic made his name trying to right wrongs. His book 10 Rillington Place contended that Timothy Evans should not have been executed in 1950 for the murder of his baby daughter, as the crimes had in fact been committed by serial killer John Christie - eventually hanged in 1953. After a fresh inquiry Evans was granted a posthumous pardon and in 1965 MPs voted to abolish the death penalty for murder. Sir Ludovic, who dabbled with being a politician, also became a keen advocate of assisted suicide assisted suicide: see euthanasia. - falling out with the then Lib Dem leader, Charles Kennedy, over the issue and quitting the party in 2001. He later rejoined. Born in Edinburgh the son of a naval officer NAVAL OFFICER. The name of an officer of the United States, whose duties are prescribed by various acts of congress. 2. Naval officers are appointed for the term of four years, but are removable from office at pleasure. Act of May 15, 1820, Sec. 1, 3 Story, L. and baronet's daughter, he went to Eton and played in a jazz band with Humphrey Lyttelton. After serving in the Navy during the war he went into journalism before joining flagship BBC BBC in full British Broadcasting Corp. Publicly financed broadcasting system in Britain. A private company at its founding in 1922, it was replaced by a public corporation under royal charter in 1927. current affairs programme Panorama. He once described Britain's adversarial system of justice as "an invitation to the police to commit perjury, which they frequently do". A father of four, he was married to former dancer and actress Moira Shearer for 56 years until her death in 2006. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said last night: "His championing of sometimes unpopular causes marked him out as a true liberal. He will be greatly missed." CAPTION(S): DEVOTED With his wife Moira Shearer CRUSADING Kennedy's book 10 Rillington Place proved Timothy Evans, right, was wrongly executed for murder. The real killer was Christie, left BATTLER Sir Ludovic constantly fought for unpopular causes |
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