Alexi Mostrous, 29, studied English at Cambridge University before training to be a barrister at the Inns of Court School of Law. After practising briefly he switched to journalism, working at the Guardian as the producer of a series of high-profile political interviews with leading world figures including Shimon Peres, Gerry Adams and F.W. de Klerk. While at the Guardian he also wrote for the news section, producing a page-one story on the secret transfer of financial data from UK banks to the CIA. In 2007 he transferred to The Times where he has written for home and business news. Over the last two years he has written a series of agenda-setting stories on subjects including immigration, mental health and civil liberties.