A  'TALENTED' and ‘determined’ local journalist has been longlisted for a prestigious investigative journalism award.

Phil Coleman, chief reporter at Newsquest Cumbria, has been announced in the longlist for this year’s Private Eye Paul Foot Award.

He has been recognised for his work on the publication of police bodycam footage that revealed how officers had tasered a vulnerable west Cumbrian man in the midst of a mental health crisis, contradicting the police account of the incident. 

Phil fought and won a six-month court battle to have the video footage released, which involved mounting a detailed legal argument — persuasive enough to convince a senior judge that releasing the footage was in the public interest.

Phil said: "I'm thrilled to be longlisted for this year's prestigious Paul Foot Award.

"The story I entered was the product of many weeks of effort, involving a protracted legal challenge, which ultimately allowed me to tell a story of undoubted public interest, concerning how local police officers deployed force against a vulnerable Cumbrian man who was in a mental health crisis.

"The story provoked a healthy debate.

"There's no doubt in my mind that this story would never have been told had I not pursued it, both through trusted contacts and through a protracted legal challenge. It shows that local journalism can make a positive difference and that our journalists continue to hold public servants to account."

Joy Yates, regional editor for Newsquest Cumbria, said: “To be longlisted alongside such incredible journalists from global, national and regional media organisations is in itself a major achievement.

“Phil is a multi-award-winning journalist which is testament to not only his talented writing, which draws in the reader and takes them on a journey, but his dogged determination to continue investigations until he secures the information to produce crucial public interest content.

“This longlist nomination also highlights the importance of strong contacts and expert legal knowledge. Newsquest Cumbria is extremely proud of Phil’s work and success.”

Phil was previously shortlisted for the Paul Foot Award in 2019 for exposing a fake doctor who fraudulently practised as a psychiatrist for more than two decades. He won the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards Scoop of the Year in 2018 for his investigation.

Other accolades include Weekly News Journalist of the Year in 2000, O2 Media Awards News Reporter of the Year 2016, and Carlisle Living Awards Judge's Special Award, 2019.

Phil has also been shortlisted for news reporting award categories several times and won awards for his feature writing.  He was the first journalist in the UK to overturn a Derogatory Assertions gagging order more than a decade ago.

The Paul Foot Award was set up by Private Eye and the Guardian in memory of campaigning journalist Paul Foot who died in 2004, and recognises the best examples of investigative journalism.