Former PMs thank Kirsty Wark for ‘terrifying’ them as she hosts final Newsnight

Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Lord David Cameron have hailed the Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark as she departed the programme after more than 30 years.

The 69-year-old, who is the longest-serving presenter on the BBC Two current affairs programme after joining in 1993, hosted her last show on Friday evening.

Most of the programme was dedicated to Wark, who touched on the US presidential election at the outset of the programme.

She was joined in the studio by former BBC journalist Lewis Goodall, Scottish actor Alan Cumming, Newsnight political editor Nicholas Watt and outgoing Today programme presenter Martha Kearney for her last edition.

There was also a round of video clips from former UK leaders, who Wark had grilled over the years.

Sir Tony called her “tough but fair and always exceptionally smart”.

He added: “I wish you the very best of luck and I’m sure you’ll carry on doing great things.”

Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton referenced his own career comeback as Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak during his message.

He said: “Kirsty, many congratulations on over three decades of presenting Newsnight. You have questioned us, quizzed us, held us to account and often terrified us.

“But a great record, many congratulations. Now you’re retiring but you can always retire after a long career and then make a comeback, best wishes, well done with everything.”

Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: “To say you are a broadcasting titan, obviously across the UK, but particularly here in Scotland would be an understatement. It’s hard to imagine that landscape without you.

“I had a very, very first interview experience with you when I was just 17 or 18 years old. I was in awe of you then and it’s fair to say that hasn’t really changed.”

Former prime minster Gordon Brown called her a “path breaker in British journalism” and an “interviewer who’s always asked the searching questions”, as well as calling attention to her documentary work, which has included looking at social media, the menopause and influential female Scottish figures.

He added that she was “always a broadcaster who enhanced her knowledge of current affairs” and thanked her.

Clips were played of Wark interviewing former prime ministers including Baroness Margaret Thatcher, as well as ex-US president Bill Clinton and musicians Sir Elton John and George Michael, along with her covering major events over more than three decades.

Wark will go on to present editions of BBC Radio 4 show Front Row, beginning at the Edinburgh Festival in August.

She had announced last year that she was stepping down following the General Election.

Wark signed off Newsnight on Friday saying: “Thank you very much. Well, I mean, that’s all for me. It has been an honour and a blast.

“Thank you to all my wonderful colleagues, equally wonderful viewers. Keep on switching on, Victoria (Derbyshire) is back on Monday. Until then, good night, and good luck.”

Colleagues gathered in the studio to clap her in the final moments while earlier Derbyshire, along with Wark’s children, contributed to video clips to the programme.