MORE tributes have been paid online by journalists to former Echo editor Harold Evans, who has died at the age of 92.

Kevin Maguire, associate editor of the Daily Mirror, wrote: “RIP Harold Evans, inspiring former editor of The Northern Echo and Sunday Times.

“Embodied the best of journalism including at the ST exposing the thalidomide scandal.”

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan described Evans as a “witty, charming, fiercely intelligent man”.

“RIP Sir Harry Evans, 92,” he wrote on Twitter.

“One of the all-time great newspaper editors. His stunning Thalidomide investigation when he ran the Sunday Times epitomised his crusading, campaigning, fearless style.

“A wonderful journalist & a witty, charming, fiercely intelligent man.

“Very sad news.”

Peter Barron, Northern Echo editor from 1999 to 2016, paid tribute to his predecessor Harold Evans, saying: “I was editor half a century later and the people of County Durham, North Yorkshire and Darlington still revered him.

“If I went to give a talk in the community, Harold Evans always came up, at Women’s Institutes, Town Women’s Guilds and Rotary Clubs – somebody always had a memory of him.

“He made a lasting impression on the people of the North-East because of his journalism.

“He changed the world, he believed in campaigning journalism and he also understood the importance of getting out and listening to people.”

Mr Barron said Sir Harold started his famous thalidomide investigation while at the Northern Echo, completing it at the Sunday Times.

He said: “He saw that there were families who needed to be brought together.”

Mr Barron met Sir Harold two years ago for a BBC documentary.

“He was 90 years old and quite frail but when he talked about the thalidomide campaign he still leaned forward and he still thumped the desk with anger that the government and the drug companies had tried to brush this scandal under the carpet.

“He still had this burning passion for campaigning journalism even as a 90-year-old man.”

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon offered her condolences to the family of Sir Harold Evans, tweeting: “Very sorry to hear that legendary journalist, Sir Harold Evans has died.

“I always enjoyed talking to Harry, and we had a lively conversation when he interviewed me at Women in the World in 2015.

“My condolences go to @TinaBrownLM and his family.”