What was your first job as a journalist?
My first commissioned assignment was to interview Marcus J Ball, the private prosecutor intending on bringing legal action against the PM.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Never. Times have moved on
How is social media changing news?
Drastically. The ability to access news on demand is now easier than ever, which makes finding stories far more effective.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Zoe Barnes, from House of Cards
What does it mean to be a journalist?
For me, to be a journalist is to be someone who is willing to expose the truth and give a voice to those who would otherwise remain unheard.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
is one of my favourites, as it perfectly encapsulates the chaos consuming Downing Street at the hands of Dominic Cummings.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Usually by email which can then develop into a phone call to establish a working relationship with whoever is pitching.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Wordpress and Google Docs
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter. Although dangerous, it can be a fantastic platform for discovering stories and people.
Who do you wish followed you?
It has to be Andrew Marr, whose memoirs spurred me into pursuing journalism as a career.
Why did you become a journalist?
To investigate the stories that really matter, expose the truth, and to give a voice to those who would otherwise remain unheard.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I used to work for a student publication. I started out as a regular contributor and progressed to a duty editor.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
It has to be a story where I interviewed Syrian refugees to propagate the argument that immigration law in the UK is in need of reform.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Determination is key. While journalism can be extremely rewarding, it can also be hugely frustrating. Stay patient and always persist.
When's the best time to pitch you?
In the afternoon, when the cogs are whirring.
What's your favorite drink?
Lime and Soda.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Bizarre as it sounds, outside trying to think of new ideas for a story. Failing that, walking the dog.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Guardian
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That political reporting is primarily concerned with those in power. But I've found that often the best stories come from ordinary people.
