Ian McWhirter Biography
Iain Macwhirter is a prominent Scottish political journalist, author, and former BBC presenter. Over his extensive career, Macwhirter worked for both the UK Parliament and Scottish Parliament, presenting BBC programs like Westminster Live and Holyrood Live from the Scottish Parliament after devolution. He has written numerous political columns for newspapers like The Herald and The Scotsman. He is well-known for covering major political developments, such as the Scottish independence referendum and the rise of the SNP.
In addition to journalism, Macwhirter has authored several books, including Road to Referendum (2013), which was adapted into a TV series, Disunited Kingdom (2014), and Tsunami (2015), which examined the SNP’s electoral victories. He was also elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh from 2009 to 2012. In 2022, his columns were temporarily suspended by The Herald following controversial social media activity.
Iain Macwhirter Age
Iain Macwhirter was born on September 24, 1952, which makes him 72 years old as of 2024.
Iain Macwhirter Hometown
Iain Macwhirter is from Edinburgh, Scotland.
Iain Macwhirter Educational Background
Iain Macwhirter received his early education at George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh, Scotland, a well-regarded grant-aided independent school. Following his secondary education, Macwhirter attended the University of Edinburgh, where he pursued a degree in politics.
Iain Macwhirter Career
Iain Macwhirter has had a distinguished career as a Scottish political journalist, commentator, and author. He began his career in journalism in the late 1970s with the BBC, where he worked for nearly two decades, first as a researcher and then as a current affairs reporter. In 1987, he was appointed as the Scottish political correspondent, reporting on both the UK and Scottish parliaments. His role expanded as he became part of the Westminster press contingent in 1989, a position that made him a familiar face on BBC programs such as Westminster Live and later Holyrood Live.
In 1999, Macwhirter played a key role in launching The Sunday Herald, a Scottish newspaper, where he served as a political commentator. He continued to write for The Herald and The Scotsman, providing insights on significant political events, including the devolution of Scotland’s parliament and the push for Scottish independence. His columns and commentaries were widely read, making him a leading voice in Scottish political journalism.
In addition to his journalism, Macwhirter has also authored several influential books. His 2013 book, Road to Referendum, accompanied a three-part TV series aired on STV and ITV, which chronicled the political and social movements leading up to the Scottish independence referendum. Following the referendum, he published Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won a Referendum but Lost Scotland (2014), a critical reflection on the political dynamics of the referendum. He followed this with Tsunami (2015), detailing the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) sweeping victory in the UK’s 2015 general election.
Macwhirter’s career saw him involved in more than just writing and broadcasting. In 2009, he was elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh, a role that allowed him to represent the university’s students and engage with important political and educational issues. He served in this capacity until 2012, contributing to the university’s public dialogue and policy advocacy.
Read Also: Peter Faulding Wikipedia, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Career, Family
Iain Macwhirter Controversies
Iain Macwhirter’s career has not been without controversies, the most notable of which occurred in 2022. In September of that year, Macwhirter posted a tweet referring to Liz Truss’s new UK cabinet as the “coconut cabinet,” in reference to several Black and minority ethnic members of the team, including Kwasi Kwarteng, Suella Braverman, and James Cleverly. The term “coconut” is an offensive racial slur used to imply that someone is betraying their racial identity by adopting the views or behaviors of a different race, in this case, suggesting they were “black on the outside, white on the inside.” The tweet sparked outrage, and Macwhirter was accused of racism. Although he quickly apologized for the tweet, admitting the language was “unacceptable” and “open to misinterpretation,” the damage had been done.
Following the incident, The Herald suspended him, stating that the tweet was offensive and unacceptable, even though the investigation concluded there was no racist intent behind his words. After mutual discussions with the newspaper, Macwhirter left The Herald, bringing his long-standing role as a political columnist there to an end. Despite this controversy, Macwhirter continued his work as a journalist, contributing to other platforms such as The Spectator.
Iain Macwhirter Books
Here is a list of Iain Macwhirter’s notable books:
- Road to Referendum (2013)
This book was published alongside a three-part television series of the same name. It explores the history and factors leading to the Scottish independence referendum.
- Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won a Referendum But Lost Scotland (2014)
This book reflects on the Scottish independence referendum, examining how Westminster’s political strategies influenced the outcome but contributed to growing tensions between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
- Tsunami: Scotland’s Democratic Revolution (2015)
This book focuses on the rise of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and their sweeping success in the 2015 general election, which was viewed as a seismic shift in Scotland’s political landscape.
Iain Macwhirter Wife and Children
Iain Macwhirter is married to journalist and author Ruth Wishart. Together, they have two children
Iain Macwhirter Net Worth
Iain Macwhirter has an estimated net worth of $4 million as of 2024.
Iain Macwhirter Wife and Children
Iain Macwhirter is married and currently resides in Edinburgh with his wife. He also has three children from a previous marriage. While Macwhirter is known for his long-standing career in political journalism and commentary, he has kept his family life relatively private, with few details about his current family publicly available.
Iain Macwhirter Twitter Presence
Iain Macwhirter is active on Twitter, where he shares his views on political issues, particularly focusing on Scottish politics, the SNP, and UK-wide political matters. His Twitter handle is @iainmacwhirter. He often engages with his audience by discussing current affairs and sharing his columns.
FAQs
Who is Iain Macwhirter?
Iain Macwhirter is a Scottish political journalist, commentator, author, and former BBC presenter. He is known for covering both UK and Scottish politics.
What are Iain Macwhirter’s most notable works?
He has authored several books, including Road to Referendum (2013) and Disunited Kingdom: How Westminster Won a Referendum but Lost Scotland (2014).
What was Iain Macwhirter’s role at BBC?
He worked for the BBC for nearly two decades, presenting shows like Westminster Live and Holyrood Live.
What is Iain Macwhirter’s connection to the Scottish independence referendum?
Macwhirter extensively covered the 2014 Scottish independence referendum and wrote about it in his book Disunited Kingdom.
Why did Iain Macwhirter leave The Herald?
He left The Herald in 2022 after a controversial tweet regarding Liz Truss’s cabinet led to allegations of racism.
