British Diplomat and Journalist Peter Jay Dies at 87

Peter Jay, a prominent British journalist and former ambassador to the United States, passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 87. His family announced his death, which was reported by various British media outlets, including the BBC, where Jay had served as economics editor in the 1990s.

Jay's career was marked by significant achievements in journalism and diplomacy. He distinguished himself as an economic expert, rising to the position of economics editor at The Times of London by the age of 30. His influence in this role was substantial, with Jay once remarking that he wrote for only three individuals: "the editor of the Times, the chancellor of the Exchequer and the governor of the Bank of England."

In 1977, Jay was appointed as the British ambassador to the United States, a position he held until 1979. This appointment, made by Foreign Minister David Owen during James Callaghan's Labour government, sparked controversy due to Jay's family connections. Jay was the son-in-law of Prime Minister Callaghan, leading to accusations of nepotism. However, his supporters argued that his expertise in economics made him well-suited for the role, given the increasing importance of economic affairs in diplomacy.

During his tenure as ambassador, Jay developed a close relationship with Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Carter's national security adviser, often playing tennis together. Jay and his wife Margaret became prominent figures in Washington social circles, described as an "'it' couple" by Sally Quinn, a longtime writer for The Washington Post.

Jay's personal life became the subject of media attention when his wife Margaret became involved with journalist Carl Bernstein, known for his role in uncovering the Watergate scandal. This affair inspired Nora Ephron's novel "Heartburn," which was later adapted into a film starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson. Simultaneously, Jay had an affair with his children's nanny at the embassy, further fueling tabloid headlines.

After his ambassadorship, Jay's career took various turns. From 1986 to 1989, he worked as chief of staff for media tycoon Robert Maxwell, an experience he later described as challenging. Following Maxwell's mysterious death in 1991, Jay returned to journalism, becoming the economics editor at the BBC until his retirement in 2001.

Born on February 7, 1937, in London, Jay came from a politically connected family. His father, Douglas Jay, served as President of the Board of Trade, while his mother, Peggy, was active in London's local government. Jay's educational background was impressive, graduating from Oxford University with a first-class honors degree in philosophy, politics, and economics.

Throughout his career, Jay made significant contributions to economic journalism. He was an early proponent of monetarism and presented the public affairs show "Weekend World" on ITV. His documentary "Road to Riches," tracing the history of wealth, earned critical acclaim.

"There's a sense in which, after the Embassy, I ceased to have any feeling of a career, or a trajectory. I thereafter thought of all my working activities as a kind of epilogue."

Despite the challenges and controversies he faced, Jay's legacy as a journalist, diplomat, and economic thinker remains significant in British public life.