Remembering Richard Gott: A Legacy in Journalism and History

cryptocurrency Richard Gott, a prominent former journalist for The Guardian and notable historian, passed away at the age of 87. His journey with The Guardian commenced in 1964, where he held various influential roles including foreign correspondent, leader writer, features editor, and literary editor.

Gott is particularly remembered for his deep understanding of Latin American politics and culture. A charismatic figure on the left, he made headlines not only for his insightful commentary but also for his personal encounters with revolutionary figures. In 1963, he met the iconic Che Guevara and was present in Bolivia during the fateful day in 1967 when Guevara was executed by US-backed forces. Remarkably, Gott was the only journalist who could identify Guevara's body on display.

His tenure at The Guardian was not without controversy. In 1994, Gott stepped down after the Spectator magazine alleged that he was a paid informant for the KGB, a claim that stemmed from information provided by Soviet defector Oleg Gordievsky. Gott firmly denied these allegations, viewing them as a peculiar resurgence of 1950s McCarthyism.

However, in his resignation letter, Gott did acknowledge accepting Soviet-funded trips to cities like Vienna, Athens, and Nicosia, admitting to taking "red gold, even if it was only in the form of expenses." His friend and fellow journalist, John Gittings, remarked that many journalists during the Cold War faced similar approaches from various agents. Gittings noted, "He took it quite lightly. Too lightly. His sympathies were always with the revolutionaries rather than a regime, whether Western or Soviet."

Despite the controversies, Gott’s contributions to The Guardian are significant. One of his proudest achievements was the establishment of the Agenda page, a dedicated space for opinion and commentary that launched every Monday. Gott stated, "I liked bringing in people beyond the usual consensus of the paper, so on a good day we would have both E.P. Thompson and Enoch Powell. Centrists got furious." This initiative showcased his commitment to diverse perspectives within journalism.

In reflecting on his resignation, Gott maintained that the claims against him were unfounded. He highlighted the case of Michael Foot, the former Labour leader, who successfully sued the Sunday Times for similar accusations of being a KGB agent. Gott expressed, "I was brought up on the tradition that journalists should not sue. Michael thought otherwise, sued, and won." This illustrates his steadfast adherence to journalistic principles, even in the face of adversity.

Gott's career was not confined to The Guardian. He briefly ventured into politics, running for election in the 1966 Hull North by-election as a member of the Radical Alliance, protesting the Harold Wilson government’s support of the Vietnam War. His literary contributions include several acclaimed works, among them the authoritative book, Cuba: A New History, published in 2004. In his early twenties, he co-authored the bestselling book The Appeasers with the renowned historian Martin Gilbert, who later became Winston Churchill's official biographer.

John Gittings characterized Gott as a charming and witty individual dedicated to advocating for the marginalized, particularly the people of Latin America. Ian Mayes, a historian at The Guardian who chronicled Gott’s resignation in his recent book, Witness In a Time of Turmoil, noted that Gott’s resignation stemmed from his failure to disclose meetings with KGB agents to the then-editor of the paper, Peter Preston. He regarded these interactions as harmless, conversational, and beneficial to his understanding.

Richard Gott’s passing marks the end of an era for journalism and historical commentary, particularly regarding Latin America. His life was filled with significant encounters, groundbreaking contributions to media, and an unwavering commitment to his principles. As we remember Gott, we honor a journalist who not only reported history but also shaped it through his interactions and writings.