Robert Francis Leigh Oakley (born 20 August 1941) is a British journalist and writer. From 1992 to 2000 he was political editor at the BBC and from 2000 to 2008 he was European political editor at CNN International.
Early life
Born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, Oakley grew up in Esher, Surrey. He was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire, and Brasenose College, Oxford. He was succeeded as political editor in summer 2000 by Andrew Marr, despite having hoped to remain at the BBC to cover the upcoming general election. After leaving the BBC, Oakley became CNN International's European political editor. He has written a number of books about racing.
Honours
Oakley was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 2001 for his services to political journalism.