I’ve knocked more doors in my time than I can count. When I was a reporter on the road, I knocked hundreds of doors both in the UK and overseas. (Yes, that’s me in the picture above.)

The worst is the “death knock” after somebody has lost their life

The worst is the “death knock” after somebody has lost their life

It’s not always comfortable. It’s the moment of truth where you get a few seconds, if that, in front of a potential source. You need to have your wits about you and the capacity to think on your feet. Often, you’ll have been waiting outside the property for hours, even days, before your moment comes. Often, you simply get told to fuck off. And off you fuck.

Sometimes, you feel morally compromised. The worst is the “death knock” after somebody has lost their life. You approach respectfully, knock once, ask if........

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