Assistant Political Editor Norman Smith to leave the BBC

The BBC’s Assistant Political Editor Norman Smith will leave the corporation today.

“Folks… that’s it from me. Thanks for putting up with me over the years. Its been an absolute privilege . I’m off now for some longer, much longer dog walks…..,” said Norman in a post to his 134k followers on Twitter.

Smith began his career in regional newspapers in Birmingham and Bristol, before joining the BBC as a local radio reporter in 1986.

He became a parliamentary correspondent in 1993, presenting Today and Yesterday in Parliament on BBC Radio 4.

Smith has reported for the BBC from the Palace of Westminster since 1999. In July 2011, he was appointed to the position of Chief Political Correspondent for the BBC News channel replacing Laura Kuenssberg who departed to ITN, before then being promoted to his current position of Assistant Political Editor in 2014.

Folks…that's it from me. Thanks for putting up with me over the years. Its been an absolute privilege . I’m off now for some longer, much longer dog walks…… pic.twitter.com/gFj9CdRogT

— norman smith (@Thehackandhound) July 30, 2020

Rory Cellan-Jones said: “What a loss – your morning two-ways were always a witty and insightful guide to the Westminster circus..but enjoy the dog walks”

While Victoria Derbyshire posted: “noooooooooo! Norman this cannot be true. I am so sad about this. You are immense, wise, clever and funny. I have LOVED working with you. Thank you for being a magnificent and kind colleague.”