The now former political editor of the Press and Journal newspaper is today beginning his retirement after 40 years working for both its current and predecessor owners.
David Perry says he plans to enjoy his retirement by pursuing his passion for parachuting, having so far having made 15 jumps.
Three weeks ago, a dinner was held in London in his honour, attended by almost every MP from the north of Scotland, including Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, and the leader of the SNP group at Westminster, Angus Robertson. A tribute from First Minister, Alex Salmond, was among the many good wishes read out during the evening.
Perry began his career at the Edinburgh Evening News, soon becoming the paper's London correspondent. He then began reporting from Westminster for a number of titles owned by what was then Thomson Regional Newspapers, whose publications included the Press and Journal, becoming group chief political correspondent.
He has been reporting specifically for the Press and Journal for close on two decades.
He told allmediascotland.com: “There have been huge changes at Westminster over the years, not least the oppressive security now necessary. When I started, Downing Street was a public thoroughfare – you could walk down and knock at the door of No 10. Openly-armed policemen were a rarity. The car bomb assassination of Margaret Thatcher’s campaign manager, Airey Neave, in 1979 just beneath my office window ended all that.”
Perry has been succeeded by Calum Ross, previously local government reporter on the P&J.
