Richard Norton-Taylor was born on 6 June 1944. He was educated at King's School, Canterbury, Hertford College,Oxford, and the College of Europe, Bruges. In 1975 he joined the Guardian. Since then, he has investigated official secrecy, behind-the-scenes decision-making in Government, and the activities of the security and intelligence services. His books include Whose Land Is It Anyway?, The Ponting Affair, Blacklist, The Inside Story of Political Vetting, In Defence of the Realm? The case for Accountable Security and Intelligence Services, Truth is A Difficult Concept: Inside the Scott Inquiry, and Aitken, The Liar. His works for stage include Half the Picture (an adaptation of the Scott 'arms to Iraq' enquiry), Nuremburg, Srebrenica and The Colour of Justice.

in 2007 year two leading barristers: Philippe Sands QC (for the prosecution) and Julian Knowles (for the defence) tested the evidence of the grounds for an indictment of the British Prime Minister for the crime of aggression against Iraq. They examined a number of distinguished witnesses, including MPs, diplomats, international lawyers, civil servants, UN officials, policy advisors, intelligence experts and journalists.
The arguments and testimony gathered, edited into a play by Richard Norton-Taylor, examine the criminal implications of the British Government's decision to use force against Iraq, and allow the audience to decide whether an indictment in this case is proven. Called to Account opened at the Tricycle Theatre, London in April 2007.