Tributes have been paid to a journalist who sought sanctuary in Jersey after being detained in solitary confinement for more than two years during China’s Cultural Revolution.
Anthony Grey OBE, who was jailed while working as an international correspondent for Reuters in Peking in the 1960s, has died aged 87.
After his release from imprisonment in 1969, he was awarded the OBE for services to journalism and was named UK journalist of the year.
Mr Grey went on to become a radio and television presenter, documentary film-maker, public speakers and a bestselling historical novelist.
His debut novel The Jersey Strategem – originally titled Some Put Their Trust in Chariots – was written in 1972 while he was recuperating in Jersey following his period of confinement.
It tells the story of three Jewish multi-millionaires who get caught up in the Cold War and must rely on the aid of a journalist who may or may not be a spy.
In the 40th anniversary edition of the novel, Mr Grey wrote: “Jersey had been the cradle of my rebirth from newsman to an intermittent writer of fiction and I will be ever grateful to that beautiful, peaceful Channel Island for that privilege.”
He described Jersey as “a paradisal setting with its quiet, winding rural lanes and lovely coasts and rocky beaches”, adding: “Because it was such an ideal place to recuperate from my China experience I have always felt a deep affection for the island.”
Mr Grey married his wife Shirley McGuinn in 1970 in a secret ceremony in St Ouen to avoid media attention.
He later returned to Jersey for the christening of his daughter Lucy, and retained close ties with the island throughout his life.
Over the course of his life, Mr Grey wrote a number of novels, short stories and non-fiction books which have been translated into 16 languages worldwide.
In the late 1980s, he also founded Hostage Action Worldwide which was set up to assist political hostages across the globe and work for their release.
Mr Grey died on 11 October 2025 and is survived by his two daughters Clarissa and Lucy Grey, and his companion Sally Bromley.
His daughters said: “He led his extraordinary life with great gusto, unending curiosity and boundless love.
“He was such a funny, vibrant and erudite man whose love for us was almost as deep as his love of words.
“His novels are a big part of his legacy and we hope they will continue to bring pleasure to people around the world for years to come.”