Family, friends, and colleagues gathered yesterday to honor Patrick O’Flynn, the former political editor of the Daily Express and a prominent advocate for Brexit, at a memorial service held at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, London. O’Flynn, who died last May at the age of 59 from liver cancer, was remembered for his intelligence, integrity, and influence in journalism and politics.
The service attracted notable figures, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, former and current editors of the Daily Express, fellow journalists, and politicians, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of O’Flynn’s career. He is survived by his wife, Carole Ann Rice, and two children.
Liam Halligan, a political columnist and close friend, spoke of O’Flynn’s unique journalistic approach, highlighting his ability to combine political and economic knowledge with a keen understanding of public sentiment and national mood. Halligan emphasized that O’Flynn’s opinions were grounded in research and observation rather than ideology, allowing him to maintain open-mindedness and respect for differing views. “Patrick had strong opinions but they were built on research and observation, rather than ideology or dogma,” Halligan noted, describing him as “one of my earliest and most important journalistic friends and mentors.”
O’Flynn’s role in shaping the Daily Express’s editorial stance on the European Union was a key aspect of his legacy. In 2010, while serving as chief political correspondent, he advised then-editor Peter Hill to lead a campaign advocating for the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU. He believed that the EU was detrimental to Britain and recognized the predominantly Eurosceptic views of the paper’s readership. “Frankly, they did not like being ruled from Brussels,” O’Flynn recalled, marking an early influential contribution to the Brexit movement.
Suzanne Evans, former deputy chair of UKIP, described O’Flynn as widely respected across political and journalistic circles. She praised him for being both “gentlemanly and gutsy,” adding that he was a steady presence during turbulent times. Evans also highlighted the breadth of accolades O’Flynn received posthumously, including mentions in the UK Parliament and tributes from former prime ministers and other senior officials, underscoring his significant influence despite never holding elected office.
The memorial highlighted O’Flynn’s enduring impact on British political journalism and the respect he garnered from a diverse range of figures across the media and political spectrum.