Liz MacKean died after suffering a stroke.

Liz worked for the BBC for over 20 years, but left to join Channel 4's "Dispatches" programme.

Liz started at BBC Hereford and Worcester, before moving to present on Breakfast TV and reporting from Northern Ireland and Scotland.

One of her last BBC programmes was "Newsnight". It was during her time on "Newsnight" that she decided to leave the BBC. She took Voluntary Redundancy in May 2013.

Her story about the child abuse committed by Jimmy Saville was dropped.

She won several awards during her career at both the BBC and Channel 4.

The BBC tribute to Liz is here.

Some of Liz's colleagues have taken to social media to express their shock.

"BBC Newsnight:- We're devastated by the loss of our former colleague. We'll remember her for her warmth, humour and tremendous journalistic talent."

"Karen Allen:- Devastated to hear of the death of my dear friend and colleague. Brilliant reporter, wonderful woman, amazing mum, and witty, so witty..."


This (archived) BBC page from May 2013 covered the Newsnight / Saville event in greater detail, and includes an interview with Liz.

From Channel 4, Jackie Long writes this tribute to Liz.

"My friend Liz MacKean: a forensic journalist who had time for people who others ignored".

"She loved Newsnight, she loved the BBC with a passion and yet during that time she genuinely felt they were out to destroy her."