Charles Thomson

Charles Thomson’s “dogged reporting in the pursuit of justice is local journalism at its finest”, according to judges. 

Responding to reports from residents, Thomson gathered evidence of drug dealing across Newham estates, following one particular death through the coroner’s court. His chronicling of the true extent of east London's rising death toll from novel synthetic opioids was followed up by the Sun, Mirror, Express and Daily Mail.

Thomson’s “brave and agenda-setting reporting” also included undercover work. Acting on information leaked from prison, he posed as a criminal to infiltrate a gang that had arranged a £100,000 hit and in the process uncovered a smuggling operation flooding prisons. The story made national headlines and the Ministry of Justice has promised to investigate.

After months of gathering new evidence against alleged paedophile Michael Quinlan, Thomson received an anonymous tip-off which led him to confronting Quinlan on camera – the first time his image had been published. By mid-2024, lawyers had 12 complainants and 10 supporting witnesses, for which they specifically credited Thomson’s work.

Thomson’s series on abuse in Islington Council children’s homes helped complainants secure £10,000 each in compensation from the council’s support payment scheme. He also secured an exclusive interview with one of the former looked-after children, Olympian Kriss Akabusi, and the only interview with a woman suing the council for alleged abuse.