Cathy Newman joins Sky News to host new evening political programme

Sky News today announced that Cathy Newman will join the news channel to host front Sky News’ 7 o’clock flagship daily politics slot.

She will also present a new podcast and work on long-form investigations and documentaries.

Newman, who brings nearly two decades of experience in political and investigative journalism to Sky, made history as the first female main presenter of Channel 4 News after eight years writing for the Financial Times.

She has reported on some of the most high-profile political and legal stories of recent years, including an eight-year investigation unmasking the most prolific abuser in the Church of England, barrister John Smyth, sexual harassment claims involving Liberal Democrat peer Lord Rennard, and an investigation into British sex offender Simon Harris, which resulted in a 17-year prison sentence.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the incredible, multi-award-winning Sky News team,” said Newman.

“There couldn’t be a more exhilarating time to return to Westminster, and I’m hugely looking forward to bringing in exclusive interviews and investigations on a brand new programme, and launching a podcast too.

“It’s been a total privilege working on Channel 4 News for exactly two decades. In that time I’ve interviewed eight Prime Ministers past and present, covered five General Election campaigns, attended 19 party conference seasons, and broken stories that saw the Archbishop of Canterbury quit for the first time in history and an investigation that led to British paedophile Simon Harris being jailed. I’ll miss my talented Channel 4 News colleagues enormously, but as Mary Shelley once wrote: ‘the beginning is always today’. And I can’t wait to begin again.”

Further details on the programme, podcast and launch date will be confirmed later this year.