Andrew Norfolk, former journalist who revealed Rotherham's role as a gang scandal, died at the age of 60.

The newspaper announced Thursday that award-winning journalist Norfolk died on May 8.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer led the tribute, saying Norfolk was "absolutely indispensable" in helping change the law and thus could convict more members of the beauty gang.

His 2011 report showed that a group of people on Pakistan’s legacy had been embellished with a pattern by a gang of men on Pakistan’s legacy after an increasing number of prosecutions nationwide.

This led to an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children in small towns in South Yorkshire from 1997 to 2013.

It is estimated that during the 16-year period, about 1,400 children were sexually exploited.

Sir Kyle, who was director of public filing lawsuits at the time, told The Times that he was "very regretful" about Norfolk's death.

"Not only is he a very talented journalist, but in the Times and elsewhere, his desire is to long for us to pay attention to injustice and protect the most vulnerable people," the Prime Minister said.

“His passion for supporting the victims of the grooming gang shines, and he is definitely an important part of making sure we can change the rules to increase faith in evil perpetrators.”

The Prime Minister said he hoped “his differences in people’s lives would be a comfort for his family and loved ones.

Tony Gallagher, editor of The Times, said Norfolk was “no doubt one of the greatest investigative journalists of us or any age.

“In and around northern England, his relentless work reveals the drawbacks of major Asian beauty gangs, which leads to overdue recognition of crime as those who have been halting for many years choose another way.”

Norfolk studied English at Durham University, edited university papers, and also played for the hockey team.

After graduation, he continued to work as a reporter with Scarborough Evening News in 1989.

He won the Paul Foot Award and Orwell Award for his breakthrough work in The Times and was named 2014 Journalist of the Year.

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop presented the Paul Foot Award, calling him a “great journalist,” adding Norfolk won the award in 2012 for “still a very important story in the news today.”

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion campaigned for the beauty gang, he said he was the bravest and most principled person I have ever known.

“His motivation for truth is a rare and precious thing, and I want others to follow in his footsteps because we really need them right now.”