Nicholas Davies

Nicholas Davies
Not to be confused with Nick Davies, Guardian journalist and author of Flat Earth News.
Nicholas Davies
Occupation Journalist, writer
Nationality British
Period 1961-present
Genres Journalism, Biography
Notable work(s) Diana : a princess and her troubled marriage (1992)
Death of a Tycoon (1993)
Dead Men Talking (2003)
Spouse(s) Janet Fielding (1982-1991)

Nicholas Davies, also known as Nick Davies, is a journalist and author, formerly foreign editor at the Daily Mirror. He was closely associated with Robert Maxwell, and was the centre of considerable UK media attention in 1991 after he was accused in Seymour Hersh's book The Samson Option of involvement in Israeli arms deals and of passing the location of Mordechai Vanunu to Mossad. In response, Maxwell and Davies sued for libel, although Davies did not pursue the case and Mirror Group apologised and settled on behalf of Maxwell after his death.

He was named by Ari Ben-Menashe as his business partner in 'Profits of War', in relation to Iran-Contra and the sale of PROMIS the first computer spyware.[disambiguation needed ],this was also mentioned in Robert Maxwell, Israel's Superspy: The Life and Murder of a Media Mogul by Gordon Thomas. These accounts by Ben-Menashe and Thomas do not necessarily tally but give a general picture of illicit arms dealing and espionage. Ben-Menashe posted seven documents relating to sales of arms by Nicholas Davies, sometimes signing himself as Davis, on this site: http://www.american-buddha.com/lit.profitswar.app.htm

Contents

Career

Davies began his career with the Birmingham Post and Mail, and joined Mirror Group Newspapers in 1961 as as a foreign correspondent and investigative reporter. He served as foreign editor of the Daily Mirror for 14 years[1] until he was sacked by Maxwell in 1991[2] at the age of 52.[3] Davies later went on to publish stories of working with Maxwell,[4] as well as books about the British Royal Family and Northern Ireland.

Davies was first in the mass media to identify the victim of the 2007 royal blackmail plot, despite a court order preventing naming in the UK.[5][6]

He was referred to as "Kite" by satirical magazine Private Eye because his stories were supposed to be "fliers". He has been confused with another British journalist of the same name when they were working in the same building.[7]

Personal life

Davies's second wife was the actress Janet Fielding. They divorced in 1991. Davies lived in Brighton in 1993.

In a 1992 article for the Washington Post, Christopher Hitchens describes Davies as a "polo-playing friend of Prince Charles".[8]

Bibliography

  • The unknown Maxwell : his astonishing secret lives revealed by his aide and close companion (1992), Sidgwick & Jackson.
  • Death of a Tycoon (1992), ISBN 978-0-312-09249-8
  • Diana : a princess and her troubled marriage (1992), Birch Lane Press, ISBN 1-55972-156-1
  • Queen Elizabeth II (1994)
  • Roll of the dice (1996), Darius Guppy with Nicholas Davies
  • Dead men talking (2003)
  • Diana : the Killing of a Princess (2006)

References

  1. ^ Davies, Nick (1993). Death of a tycoon. St Martins Press. pp. 346. ISBN 978-0312092498. 
  2. ^ David Sharrock and Georgina Henry (6 November 1991). "Maxwell's body found in sea". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/1991/nov/06/politicalnews.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2009. 
  3. ^ William Tuohy (October 25, 1991). "'Mirrorgate': A Press Empire Strikes Back - Scandal". Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1991-10-25/news/vw-186_1_secret-intelligence-service. Retrieved 29 September 2009. 
  4. ^ Sandra Barwick (25 October 1994). "The beast and his beauties". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/the-beast-and-his-beauties-robert-maxwell-mesmerised-and-bullied-women-but-betty-his-wife-for-nearly-50-years-remained-loyal-her-autobiography-will-be-her-first-public-breach-of-that-loyalty-sandra-barwick-reports-1444890.html. Retrieved 29 September 2009. 
  5. ^ Julia May (1 November 2007). "Queen's nephew 'victim' of blackmail". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2007/10/31/1193618970645.html. Retrieved 29 September 2009. 
  6. ^ "'Sex and drugs' blackmail plot royal: I'm innocent". Mail Online. 31 October 2007. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-490216/Sex-drugs-blackmail-plot-royal-Im-innocent.html. Retrieved 29 September 2009. 
  7. ^ Nick Davies (October 1991). "Somebody is making a mess of my name". The Guardian. http://www.nickdavies.net/1991/10/01/somebody-is-making-a-mess-of-my-name/. 
  8. ^ Hitchens, Christopher (1993). For the sake of argument. Verso. p. 195. ISBN 9780860914358. 

External links


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