Tributes as Ming Campbell dies aged 84

Sir Menzies “Ming” Campbell has died at the age of 84, his family has announced.

The former Lib Dem leader spent one of his final days watching the party’s conference. Friends from the world of politics provided video messages.

His grandson Gregor Grant-Suttie was with the former Olympian when he died.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, 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.”

Raised in Glasgow, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem studied law at the University of Glasgow, where he was a contemporary of Labour figureheads John Smith and Donald Dewar.

A member of the British team in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he held the British 100m record from 1967-74.

He became the chair of the Scottish Liberal Party the following year and entered the Commons when he won North East Fife – formerly considered a safe Tory seat – in 1987 and represented the seat for 28 years. During his parliamentary career he was his party’s spokesperson for defence and foreign affairs, rising to deputy Lib Dem leader in 2003. He took the leadership following the resignation of Charles Kennedy in 2006 and was succeeded by Nick Clegg in 2007.

Campbell, an Iraq war critic who was knighted in 2004, stood down from the Commons in 2015 and subsequently took up a seat in the House of Lords.

He was married to his wife Elspeth 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”.

His family has expressed its thanks to his care facility, Kyn Hurlingham, for their “exceptional care and attention over the last few months”.

Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife, paid tribute to “a significant figure”, saying:  “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.”

First Minster John Swinney called Campbell “one of the most distinguished and well-liked political figures of his generation”. He said: “I first got to know him well as a newly-elected MP where he welcomed me and helped me adapt to life in House of Commons. Over the years since, we often worked together on the many issues on which we agreed.

“Lord Campbell was a passionate believer in a better Scotland but also a strong internationalist – keen to build consensus and find common ground. Those entering public service today could learn much from his style – always forthright in speaking up for what he believed in, but never anything other than respectful, courteous and polite to his political opponents.

“On behalf of the Scottish Government, I offer my condolences to Lord Campbell’s family. My thoughts today are with them, his Liberal Democrat colleagues and his many friends across the political spectrum and beyond.”