David Hencke, the veteran Guardian journalist who helped expose the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal, has died at the age of 76 after a short illness. His family confirmed his death on Saturday, paying tribute to his dedication to investigative journalism and his mentorship of younger reporters.
Career Highlights
Hencke joined The Guardian in 1987 and spent more than two decades at the paper, covering politics, education, and social affairs. He was best known for his work on the parliamentary expenses scandal, which led to the resignation of several MPs and major reforms to the expenses system. Alongside colleagues, Hencke obtained leaked data showing that MPs had claimed expenses for items such as duck houses, moat cleaning, and mortgage payments on properties that were not their main homes.
The scandal, which broke in 2009, prompted public outrage and resulted in criminal charges against three MPs and two peers. Hencke later co-authored the book The Expenses Scandal: How the Story Broke, detailing the investigation.
Tributes from Colleagues
Guardian editor-in-chief Katharine Viner said: “David was a tenacious and fearless journalist who held power to account. His work on the expenses scandal was a landmark moment for British journalism, and he will be deeply missed by everyone at the Guardian.” Former colleague and fellow investigative journalist Nick Davies described Hencke as “a dogged reporter with a brilliant instinct for sniffing out wrongdoing.”
Legacy and Impact
Hencke retired from The Guardian in 2012 but continued to write freelance for outlets including the New European and Byline Times. He also served as a trustee of the charity the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. His reporting contributed to a broader crackdown on parliamentary accountability and inspired a generation of investigative journalists.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned for later this year.
