Martin Bell

Integrity in public life and business

War zone experiences

Survival skills in an increasingly dangerous world

Teamwork

Martin Bell was educated at The Leys School Cambridge and King’s College Cambridge, where he achieved a 1st class honours degree in English. Following this was National Service in the ranks of the Suffolk Regiment where he served in Cyprus, from 1957-1959.

Martin Bell joined the BBC in Norwich as a news assistant in 1962.In 1964 he transferred to the London BBC as a general reporter. Following which he rose to being an international correspondent in Washington, 1978–1989, and Berlin 1989-1994. His assignments included 90 countries and 11 wars from Vietnam to Bosnia. He was wounded by mortar fire in Sarajevo in 1992.

In order to stand as an Independent candidate against the sitting MP Neil Hamilton, Martin Bell left the BBC in April 1997. He won with an 11000-vote majority, the first elected Independent since 1951. Martin served on the House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee where he was described in the press as “a fully paid up member of the awkward squad.” Martin left Parliament in 2001.

Martin Bell has since been appointed UNICEF Special Representative for Humanitarian Emergencies, and as such his travels for UNICEF have included Burundi, Kosovo, Tajikistan, Malawi, Bosnia and Iraq.

Other Awards and distinctions he has received include: O.B.E. (1993). Royal Television society reporter of the year 1977 and 1993. Gulf War medal 1991. Honorary doctorate, University of Derby. Honorary degrees, University of East Anglia, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, University of Kingston and University of North London.