Former Sky reporter found dead

Monday, 6 October 2003 12:00 AM

A former Sky News reporter who resigned in July following allegations that he had faked a report on the war in Iraq has been found dead.

James Forlong, 44, had worked for the Sky News satellite channel for ten years. He was discovered just after 0230 BST on Saturday at his home in Hove, East Sussex.

Former colleagues at Sky have expressed shock at the news.

Mr Forlong's resignation followed Sky's announcement it had suspended him and another journalist and opened an investigation into the allegations that a report about a British submarine had been faked.

The report in question was shown on Sky and other news channels, including ITV News. It was said to involve a missile launch from submarine HMS Splendid in the Gulf.

Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said: "This is a terrible personal tragedy and a shocking blow for James's family.

"Everyone here sends their deepest sympathies to James's wife and children."

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 44-year-old man from Hove was found dead at his address in the early hours of Saturday morning."

The spokesman said the circumstances were not thought to be suspicious. A post-mortem is due to be carried out on Tuesday.

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