Michael Cole (public relations) facts for kids

Michael Dexter Cole (born in March 1943) is a former journalist. He worked for BBC television and was a special reporter who covered news about the Royal Family. After leaving the BBC, he became a spokesperson for Harrods, a famous department store, and its owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.

Michael Cole's Journalism Career

Michael Cole started his career working for newspapers. Later, he moved into television. He worked for a local news program called Look East on Anglia Television starting in 1969.

In 1973, he was one of three reporters sent by the BBC to cover the Yom Kippur War. This was a conflict in the Middle East. This was his first big assignment after moving to London permanently. He had also spent some time reporting from Northern Ireland.

Cole reported on Margaret Thatcher's career after she became the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. He was the one who told her on camera that Airey Neave MP had been killed in 1979. In 1984, he was also present when Norman Tebbit was rescued after a bomb attack at Brighton's Grand Hotel.

Reporting on the Royal Family

Michael Cole worked as a BBC Royal Correspondent. This meant he reported on the British Royal Family. In 1987, he accidentally shared some information about the Queen's Christmas message at a lunch with other reporters. The Queen's message was going to mention the Enniskillen bombing.

Cole immediately told his employer what had happened. News headlines called him "Cole the Mole," which he felt was unfair. His friend, fellow royal reporter James Whitaker, later said that Cole had only spoken generally and hadn't revealed any secrets. The BBC apologized to the Queen for the mistake. Cole was not fired, but he was moved to a different role, reporting on media and arts. He stayed with the BBC for another 10 months.

Later Career and Harrods

Working with Mohamed Al Fayed

Michael Cole first met Mohamed Al Fayed in 1987. This was when Cole was working on a BBC program about the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. After leaving the BBC in 1988, Cole joined Harrods. He became the director of public affairs and spokesperson for Mohamed Al Fayed, who owned Harrods. Cole once told a journalist that he felt like Al Fayed was like a father to him.

In 1997, Cole helped settle a legal case. Al Fayed had sued Vanity Fair magazine for saying false things about him in an article. The article had accused Al Fayed of racism and of watching his employees secretly.

Cole left Harrods in 1998, retiring early at age 55. In 2008, he gave evidence in the investigation into the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed, Mohamed Al Fayed's son, who died in 1997.

Public Speaking and His Own Company

In 2012, Michael Cole gave a lecture with Vernon Bogdanor. The lecture was about "The Crown and the Commonwealth." It took place at Westminster Hall, which is part of the Palace of Westminster.

Today, Michael Cole is the head of his own company, Michael Cole & Company. This company works in public relations and broadcasting. He has also written articles for the East Anglian Daily Times newspaper. In 1999, he appeared as a guest on the BBC's comedy quiz show, Have I Got News for You.