Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell dies aged 84

Lord Menzies Campbell, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, has died at the age of 84.

The party confirmed the news of his death on Friday morning.

"The thoughts of everyone in our party are with his family at this time," the Scottish Liberal Democrats said.

Lord Campbell, who led the party from 2006 to 2007, died in London following a period of respite care.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey described Lord Campbell – known as Ming – as “a dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant”.

Sir Ed said: “With a parliamentary career spanning five decades, Ming Campbell was a dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant.

“He was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on foreign affairs when the world changed on 9/11, and his principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom. He spoke up for what was right, even when it was hard.

“Like so many of us, I benefited greatly from Ming’s advice and guidance over the many years we worked closely together. But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague, with such generosity and humour.

“Ming was always great company – whether talking about sport with the authority of a captain of Britain’s athletics team and a British 100m record-holder, or asking about you and your family, when he would always pass on kind thoughts from his wife, Elspeth – his rock.

“All of us in the Liberal Democrat family and beyond will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.”

Lord Campbell was MP for North East Fife for almost three decades, from 1987 to 2015.

He was made a life peer in 2015.

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