Stafford Somerfield

Stafford William Somerfield (9 January 1911–14 January 1995) was a British newspaper editor.

Early life Born in Barnstaple to Albert George Somerfield and Bessie (née Rivett),

Newspaper career

When the war ended, Somerfield joined the News of the World, and in 1960, he was appointed as its editor. He prioritised shocking stories and printed explicit details of Diana Dors and Christine Keeler's lives. He often fell into conflict with the Press Council, particularly after paying David Smith, chief prosecution witness in the Moors murders case, on condition that the suspects were convicted. and wrote a front-page leading article in October 1968 on the subject, which led to extensive criticism that his attitude was xenophobic.

Later life In retirement, he became a judge at Crufts and wrote columns on dog-related matters. Married first, 1934: Gertrude Frances Camfield, by whom he had two daughters. Divorced 1950. Married second, 1951, Elizabeth Egerton, daughter of Lt-Col Arthur Egerton Cotton, DSO, of the Rifle Brigade, a descendant of Sir Lynch Cotton, 4th Baronet, of Rev. Sir Philip Grey Egerton, 9th Baronet, and of Josias Du Pre, a director of the East India Company and Governor of Madras from 1770 to 1773. Elizabeth Somerfield's first husband, Francis Montgomery, was son of the politician and lawyer Robert Mortimer Montgomery.