Richard Thomson: Tributes paid to The News, Portsmouth's consumer champion after his death at 88

For three decades the former trading standards officer was the consumer champion for The News, taking up the cudgels for readers who had been wronged by businesses - either let down by sloppy service or actively ripped off.

Astonishingly Richard, in total, recouped more than £250,000 for the people who had been let down, making sure that car dealerships, energy firms, builders and indeed businesses in all walks of life did not trample over their customers.

Richard died in January aged 88, after a period of ill health, and on Sunday family and friends met at his beloved Foresters Arms in Anns Hill Road, Gosport, to reminisce about him.

Overwhelmingly, the sentiment was remembering how kind, compassionate, intelligent and hard-working Richard was. He was motivated by helping his fellow human beings, and saw the best in everyone.

Cousin Anthony Bunce said: “He was a very bright person, very intelligent and also very well read. He could speak about almost any subject - I remember once asking him about finances after the war and he knew about it in detail.”

Richard was not religious but was a self-professed humanist. He believed in rationalism, science and living an ethical life, with both reason and humanity.

James Shankland, 72, knew Richard for 55 years and shared a house for more than two decades. He said: “If Richard could, he would help anybody - it didn’t matter which colour, race or religion. He had no prejudices. If it was in his ability to do it he would sort it out.

“He was one of the good guys. He was passionate about animals, and hated all forms of cruelty to animals and people. He would talk to everyone on the same level, whether they were homeless or in authority. He was never condescending to anyone. He was the best person I have ever met in my life.”

Richard was born to Maisie, who was from Fordingbridge, and Scot Robert Thomson. His dad had moved to the south to join the navy and served in the Second World War.

Richard took a degree in economics at the LSE, graduating in 1962. He had been called up for National Service in the 1950s, serving with the RAF and being posted in Gibraltar. He worked for trading standards in Hampshire and then, after retiring in 2002, worked as a volunteer for Gosport’s Citizens Advice Bureau for about a decade.

Foresters Arms landlord Rob Hylands, who took over the pub in May 2004 and knew Richard almost from that time, said he was a “man with a big heart”.

“He was a proper gentleman, and very knowledgeable,” he said.

Rob, who has also been a Liberal Democrat councillor on Gosport Borough Council since July 2009, said he would often ask Richard’s advice on issues that residents raised with him, and would refer them to Richard if they needed help with consumer rights.

He smiled as he recalled long conversations with Richard, and his love of a pub quiz, a plate of chilli and a gin and tonic.

Richard loved travelling. He had visited the United States, South America, New Zealand, almost all areas of Europe and many parts of Asia, including Japan. He had close friends in Austria, and would regularly go over there to spend time in Innsbruck.

From the perspective of The News, Richard was a joy to have on the books. Although his professional background was with trading standards and consumer rights, he showed what journalism can and should be - holding those in authority to account, standing up for the man on the street and righting wrongs.

He was a formidable opponent for rogue traders - he had no fear in tackling injustice even though on more than one occasion it led to him receiving threats. While he was fearless and fearsome in his professional mode, in person he was unfailingly polite, always dapper and a joy to deal with.

Speaking in 2021, as part of a series called We Love The News, Richard said: “Dodgy deals, shoddy service, disputed bills, holidays from hell, rogue trading - it’s been my privilege over the years to investigate and assist readers who have been at their wits’ end battling with consumer problems they’ve been unable to resolve.

“Along the way we’ve routinely recovered many thousands of pounds in refunds, compensation and ex-gratia payments. The many messages of thanks I receive from readers are testimony to the value of supporting your local newspaper and providing a platform to be of service to them.”

Just as his friends in the Foresters raised a glass to Richard Thomson this weekend, so should many hundreds of people right across south Hampshire. He was on our side, and for that we should be grateful.