Fergus Shanahan (born 26 January 1955) is a British journalist. From 2007 he was Executive Editor of The Sun newspaper."Sun executive Fergus Shanahan to face trial for paying public official". The Times, 19 April 2013. In 2015 it was reported that Shanahan had left the newspaper after being cleared of authorising illegal payments to a public official.Former Sun executive editor Fergus Shanahan leaves News UK, The Guardian, 17 September 2015
Early life and education Shanahan was born in London. He attended Maidenhead Grammar School.
Career Shanahan began his career on the Reading Chronicle and Reading Evening Post. He worked as a sub-editor for the Mirror Group, The Times and Express Newspapers. He joined The Sun in 1989, working as a Night Editor before being appointed Deputy Editor in 2000. He was deputy to David Yelland 2000 - 2003 and Rebekah"News of the World editor quits". BBC News. Brooks (nee Wade) 2003 - 2007. He was also a political columnist on The Sun 2004 – 2008."Sun columnist who became foreman of jury in murder case was 'faithful to his oath'". Solicitors Journal.
On 28 January 2012 The Daily Telegraph and BBC reported that Shanahan was arrested as part of the Operation Elveden police inquiry into allegations of improper payments by journalists to public officials."Four Sun journalists arrested", Daily Telegraph, London, January 28, 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012"Operation Elveden:Five held in police payment probe", BBC News, 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012 The inquiry is connected to the News International phone hacking scandal. In July 2013 he pleaded not guilty;"Sun executive pleads not guilty to charges over alleged payments". The Guardian, 22 July 2013. on 20 March 2015 Shanahan was cleared of charges that he had signed off illegal payments.
Personal Shanahan is married with two daughters. He lives in Essex.
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