Peter Mosley, master craftsman

Peter Mosley was one of Reuters' master craftsmen. As London Bureau chief he was part of a formidable triumvirate of wordsmiths with Pat Massey and Rick Norsworthy in the late sixties. He fostered punchy, entertaining writing whether it was covering the devaluation of sterling or anti-Vietnam war riots in Grosvenor Square. He would annotate the bureau's output on a daily basis, sometimes praising a well-turned phrase, sometimes pointing out an ill-judged or poorly executed story.

As Reuters' first science editor, Peter came into his own. He could take the most complex developments in medicine, environmental issues, space exploration and turn them into lively, understandable copy. He always said you had to ask scientists the stupid questions that the man-in-the-street would ask in order to get to the heart of the story. Part of his role was to evaluate "medical breakthrough" stories and spike the dud ones. He thus saved Reuters much embarrassment.  

Peter went on to introduce the video-editing system that revolutionised the working life of Reuter hacks at 85 Fleet Street and abroad, but I will always remember him as the reporter who asked the seemingly dumb questions and got the right answers. ■