editor of the Catholic Herald (1988-1992), writes for The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, The Independent and the Observer. He has presented award winning television and radio documentaries and has appeared as a regular panelist on the BBC’s The Moral Maze, Vice or Virtue? and FutureWatch. His biography of Lord Longford was the basis for Channel 4’s 2006 multi-award winning drama, Longford and he is the director of the Longford Trust for penal reform. His other books (translated into eleven languages) include biographies of C Day-Lewis, Bronwen Astor, and Cardinal Basil Hume. His writings on religion include The Devil: A Biography, Heaven: A Traveller’s Guide, The She-Pope:The Legend of Pope Joan, The Extra Mile: a look at pilgrimage in the 21st century and How To Read A Graveyard: Journeys in the Company of the Dead.