Fisk wins award for outstanding journalism

ROBERT FISK, our Middle East correspondent, was awarded the Orwell Prize for outstanding journalism last night. The judges of the award, which recognises contributions to the art of political writing, said of Fisk: ``His report on the aftermath of the Gulf War, in particular its consequences for the children of Iraq, formed a sustained and impassioned humanitarian campaign. Moved by his powerful writing, readers of The Independent sent in pounds 100,000 for the underfunded hospitals where these children lay sick and dying''.

David McKittrick, our Ireland correspondent, was also shortlisted for the award, which is presented annually in the memory of George Orwell. Fisk recently received the London Press Club award for outstanding reporting.