Stuart Higgins is a British public relations consultant and former newspaper editor.
Higgins began his career as a reporter for a news agency, then began working for The Sun in 1979. He soon became the newspaper's Royal Correspondent, during which time he tested security at Highgrove House. At one point, Kelvin MacKenzie printed Higgins' direct phone number in The Sun, billed him as the Human Sponge and asked readers to call him to "get things off their chest". In 1994, Higgins succeeded MacKenzie as editor of the newspaper.[1]
Higgins left The Sun in 1998 after being accused of sexual harassment during his time at The Sun following a complaint from a former executive secretary. It was reported that News International paid the employee £500,000 'hush' money in return for the allegations to go no further.[2] Higgins then went on to set up his own public relations company.[1]
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Martin Dunn |
Deputy Editor of The Sun 1990–1993 |
Succeeded by Neil Wallis |
| Preceded by Patsy Chapman |
Editor of the News of the World 1993–1994 |
Succeeded by Piers Morgan |
| Preceded by Kelvin MacKenzie |
Editor of The Sun 1994–1998 |
Succeeded by David Yelland |