FORMER broadcast war reporter Martin Bell will deliver a talk on 'fake news' at Otley Courthouse next month.

The 'man in the white suit' - as he became known after entering politics as an Independent on an anti-sleaze ticket - will speak at the arts venue on Friday, June 2.

During a 35 year career with the BBC he reported from war zones around the world, including Vietnam, Bosnia and Iraq - and has witnessed dramatic changes in how conflicts are both fought and reported.

In his new book War and the Death of News, Mr Bell provides a moving, personal account of war and calls for the substance to be brought back to news reporting.

After leaving the BBC in 1997 he became the first elected Independent MP in nearly 50 years when he defeated Conservative MP Neil Hamilton in the Tatton constituency in Cheshire.

On leaving the House of Commons in 2001 Mr Bell was appointed by UNICEF UK as a Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on the plight of children affected by conflict and natural disaster in areas such as Tajikistan and Malawi.

During his Otley talk, which starts at 7.30pm, he will discuss some of his experiences as a war correspondent and invite the audience to ask questions on the hot topic of 'fake news'.

A Courthouse spokeswoman said: "This promises to be a fascinating evening."

Tickets cost £18 and can be booked by visiting otleycourthouse.org.uk, calling (01943) 467466 or popping into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.