Andreas Whittam Smith, co-founder and former editor of The Independent, has died aged 88, his family announced. He launched The Independent in 1986 with colleagues, aiming to provide an antidote to the entrenched partisanship of Fleet Street journalism. Under his leadership, the newspaper gained a devoted readership for its commitment to neutrality, intellectual rigour, and modern design. Whittam Smith was knighted in 2015 for his significant services to the media and public life, recognised