OS OBITUARIES
© PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo confrontation . In 1995 , he wrote , directed and produced The Torture Trail for Channel 4 ’ s Dispatches , which won the National Television Society ’ s Best Documentary Award . However , Michael Heseltine claimed that Martyn had fabricated evidence which implicated the government . In taking the UK government to the High Court and successfully suing for libel , at no small risk to himself , Martyn became the first journalist ever to do so . A full apology , plus substantial damages , resulted .
Martyn wrote a bestselling book , Dirty Tricks , which revealed the extraordinary measures that British Airways employed in attempting to put the fledgling Virgin Atlantic out of business . Richard Branson later told Martyn his company would have gone under without Martyn ’ s work in exposing corporate skulduggery , and the British Airways Chairman , Lord King , was forced to angrily resign . A TV series based on Martyn ’ s book is nearing production , under the title Hot Air , which should be streamed next year .
MARTYN GREGORY 1955-2024
Martyn John Gregory was born in 1955 and joined Sevenoaks School in 1966 . By the time he left school , a flame had been lit which subsequently drove him towards a highly successful career as a broadcaster and investigative journalist . Indeed , it was partly because of the awakening he received during a year in the International Centre that he discovered a passion for politics and current affairs ; the charismatic Irish teacher Casey McCann opened Martyn ’ s eyes to the excitement of debate and , along with the experience of living with students from all over the world , Martyn moved on to university with a fresh perspective and significant ambition .
He studied Politics at Loughborough , where he became President of the Student Union , then a PhD at Leicester , before joining the BBC as a trainee producer . He was soon producing films , which became increasingly investigative . Echoing Casey , he was unafraid of defying authority and relished
Martyn ’ s other bestselling book was Diana : The Last Days , which countered the conspiracy theories about Princess Diana ’ s death and earned him the title of ‘ the world ’ s leading authority on the crash ’ from many media outlets . He was in demand for many years from countless newspapers and TV channels and became a persistent thorn in Mohamed Al Fayed ’ s side . Martyn ’ s work was endorsed in its entirety by the eventual inquest .
Away from work , Martyn had many passions , including Manchester United and The Beatles , whom he had met in Knole Park , but most notably cricket . He played for five years in the school 1st XI which included future England players Chris Tavaré and Paul Downton , and subsequently in club cricket for The Vine and Holmesdale . Martyn was diagnosed with MS in 1997 and his career was cut short as his illness developed .
He will be remembered by many for journalism that was principled , daring and fearless in his pursuit of justice .
Adrian Gregory ( OS 1975 )
136 OLD SENNOCKIANS