Former Labour MP Tam Dalyell dies at the age of 84

Tam Dalyell - Image credit: Robin Gillanders/Holyrood

Former Labour MP Tam Dalyell has died at the age of 84 after a short illness.

Dalyell represented West Lothian and Linlithgow in the House of Commons from 1962 to 2005.

He is best known for asking what came to be called the West Lothian question on devolution, about whether Scottish, Welsh and Northern should be allowed to vote on English-only issues.

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Commenting on the death, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “The Labour movement has lost a giant. Tam Dalyell was one of the most influential MPs, writers and thinkers of his generation. 

“Tam served the people of West Lothian tirelessly for decades through periods of great change. He truly was their champion.

“As Father of the House his wisdom was passed on to countless MPs, serving as a parliamentarian while Britain had eight Prime Ministers.

“A man of peace and a man of principle, his legacy will live on in the Commons for decades to come.   

“Our thoughts are with his family and many friends at this time.”