Andreas Whittam Smith, the co-founder of the Independent newspaper and a former president of the British Board of Film Classification, has died aged 88.

Whittam Smith was also the first editor of the Independent and served as First Church Estates Commissioner, the senior lay member of the Church of England, from 2002 to 2017.

A family spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder of the Independent newspaper, on 29 November 2025, aged 88.

“He was surrounded by his family until the end and will be dearly missed.

“He is survived by his wife, Valerie; two sons, Benedict and Mark; and three grandsons.”

Much of Whittam Smith’s early career was spent in financial journalism, working at the Stock Exchange Gazette, the Financial

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