Former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell dies aged 84

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Menzies Campbell has died aged 84.

Lord Campbell, the chancellor of the University of St Andrews, was an advocate and an Olympic athlete before entering politics.

To friends and colleagues, Sir Menzies was known simply as Ming – a shortened version of the pronunciation of his Scottish name.

He served as MP for North East Fife for 28 years and led his party from March 2006 to October 2007.

He was married to his wife Lady Elspeth Mary Campbell for more than 50 years until her death in 2023, describing her as “my constant political companion, always my encouragement and forever my first line of defence”.

In 2015, he retired from Parliament and was appointed to the House of Lords as a Liberal Democrat peer with the title Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.

In Parliament, his interests included foreign affairs and defence. He served on various select committees, such as foreign affairs, defence, intelligence and security, and national security.

He also maintained a lifelong interest in sport after competing in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, captained the UK Athletics Team, and held the British 100m record.

OBITUARY

Sir Menzies Campbell: Sprinter, statesman and stalwart of liberal politics

Sir Menzies Campbell will be remembered as a logical and passionate voice in the cause of liberal values both at home and abroad.

A graduate of Glasgow University, his contemporaries included future Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine, former Labour Leader John Smith and Scotland’s first ever First Minister Donald Dewar.

Ming passed in London after a period of respite care, before planning to return to Scotland, at the care facility Kyn Hurlingham. He died peacefully in the presence of his grandson Gregor Grant-Suttie; one of his final days was spent watching the Liberal Democrats party conference, and enjoying watching video messages from political friends.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said: “Ming Campbell was one of the most respected politicians of his generation.

“The first political thing I ever did was to deliver leaflets for Ming on the morning of his first election to Parliament in 1987. He was my MP, he was my mentor, and he was my friend.

“From the Olympic track to the benches of Westminster, his contribution to public life will long be remembered.

“My thoughts, and those of my party, are with his family at this time.”

Willie Rennie, MSP for North East Fife, added: “This is a sad day for our party, for liberals everywhere and for me personally. Ming was a guiding light and elder statesman for so many of us.

“He was an esteemed voice on foreign affairs and a true liberal at heart, embodying the values of reason, compassion, and internationalism. It was no wonder that he was often described as the best foreign secretary that the UK never had. I will miss him immensely.

”Ming once told me that he was very fortunate to have had three careers in his life in sport, in law and finally in politics. What was remarkable was that he excelled in all three. That is why the slogan to secure his re-election in North East Fife – local champion with a national reputation – was so successful that he won with a huge majority of votes.”

Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, commented: “In North East Fife, Ming was and remained a significant figure. His contributions to our communities, to the University of St Andrews, as well as to Scotland and the UK were immeasurable.

“Although he found the passing of his beloved Elspeth difficult, rather than retreat, until the last weeks of his life, he was still travelling to London to contribute in the House of Lords.

“After a long career of public service, I am sure he would have had it no other way. I will miss his wise counsel and our regular chats in Parliament which always kept me on my toes.”