Ian McColl

CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(22 February 1915 – 21 June 2005), was a Scottish journalist, editor and

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

politician.

Background

He was the eldest son of John McColl and Sarah Isabella (aka Morag) McPherson, of

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

and

Bunessan Bunessan ( gd, Bun Easain) is a small village on the Ross of Mull in the south-west of the Isle of Mull, off the west coast of Scotland. The settlement is within the parish of Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon, and is situated on the A849. Community I ...

, Isle of Mull. He was educated at

Hillhead High School Hillhead High School is a day school in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oakfield Avenue, neighbouring the University of Glasgow. Admissions It is one of the largest schools in Glasgow. History Grammar school Until 1972 it was a co-educational selectiv ...

, Glasgow. He married, in 1968, Brenda McKean. They had one daughter. He served during the war, with the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) an ...

, 1940–46 (despatches, 1945). He was with Air Crew, Coastal Command 202 Squadron.

Political career

In 1931 he joined the Liberal Party at the age of 16. In 1933 he was elected to the executive of the Scottish Liberal Federation. In 1938 he became Honorary Secretary of the Scottish Liberal Federation. McColl twice stood as a

Liberal party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

candidate for the United Kingdom Parliament; in the

1945 General Election The following elections occurred in the year 1945. Africa * 1945 South-West African legislative election Asia * 1945 Indian general election Australia * 1945 Fremantle by-election Europe * 1945 Albanian parliamentary election * 1945 Bulgarian ...

Dumfriesshire Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries or Shire of Dumfries (''Siorrachd Dhùn Phris'' in Gaelic) is a historic county and registration county in southern Scotland. The Dumfries lieutenancy area covers a similar area to the historic county. I ...

finishing third and at the 1950 General Election at Greenock coming second.

Media career

He joined the

Scottish Daily Express The ''Daily Express'' is a national daily United Kingdom middle-market newspaper printed in tabloid format. Published in London, it is the flagship of Express Newspapers, owned by publisher Reach plc. It was first published as a broadsheet i ...

as a cub reporter in 1933. He was Editor of the Scottish Daily Express from 1961–71. He was Editor of the Daily Express from 1971–74. He was a Director of Express Newspapers Ltd, from 1971–82. He was Chairman of Scottish Express Newspapers Ltd, from 1975–82. He was a Member of the Press Council from 1975–78. He was a Vice-President of the Newspaper Press Fund from 1981–2005. He was Chairman of the Media Division for the 1986 Commonwealth Games, Scotland from 1983–86. He was honoured with the Bank of Scotland, Scottish Press Life Achievement Award, in 1993. He was appointed a

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

in 1983.

External links

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:McColl, Ian Daily Express people British male journalists Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Scottish Liberal Party parliamentary candidates 1915 births 2005 deaths