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Yasmin Alibhai-Brown accuses the Independent of sexism over print redundancies

This week the Independent will publish its last ever print edition. With a reduced number of staff being kept on to work on the digital-only edition, around 75 journalists are thought to be being made redundant. So last night’s Words by Women journalism awards proved to be a poignant affair with several soon-to-be ex-Indy journalists present.

While Independent on Sunday editor Lisa Markwell said it was a ‘bit emotional’ — while presenting an award — as it was the first time she’d been called the paper’s ‘former editor’, Indy columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown appeared to be experiencing a real mix of emotions when it came to her take on the paper’s demise.

When introducing the Political Journalist of the Year category, Alibhai-Brown — whose columns for the Indy have included ‘Spare me the tears over the white working class‘ and ‘I like Corbyn, but let’s face it: we don’t need another white man at the head of a political party‘ — launched into a speech about the end of her career with the paper.

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Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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