Ulster Unionist Party Leader Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the veteran journalist and broadcaster John Cole who died today.
Mr Nesbitt said:
“John Cole was an inspirational character to me as a young journalist.
He taught me the ultimate goal of having the respect of the political class but more importantly of the audience.
He always managed to be fair-minded and professional; his knowledge of his subject matter was unsurpassed
Following his appointment as Political Editor of the BBC from 1981, he made a great contribution to national political arena throughout a period of great political upheaval including the Miners’ Strike and the Brighton Bomb.
It was always a source of pride for many in Northern Ireland that an Ulsterman had reached the top his his profession on a UK stage. He truly was an inspirational figure and will be sadly missed by his family, former colleagues and many millions of viewers.”