MICHAEL Ancram, the former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, has died aged 79, his family have announced.
A family statement said the 13th Marquess of Lothian, as he was officially known, died in hospital in the early hours of October 1 following a short illness.
1
Michael Ancram has tragically passed away Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
He was surrounded by close family.
Lord Donald Cameron, a former Scottish Office minister and former MSP, said his uncle, Michael Ancram, was a “huge support and inspiration”.
“I have very sad news tonight,” he said on the X social network.
“Michael was a man of great warmth, humor and generosity.
“As an uncle, he was a great support and inspiration to me.
“We will all miss him dearly. May he rest in peace.”
The new leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Russell Findlay, posted on X: “So sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Ancram who was a first class politician and gentleman.
“The thoughts of everyone in the Scottish Conservatives are with his wife and family.”
Mr Ancram is a highly respected member of the Tory Party who has had a career spanning over five decades.
His career in politics began in 1974 when he was first elected to Parliament as MP for Berwickshire & East Lothian at the age of 29.
Russell Findlay has been named the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives
After a successful term in the House of Commons, he joined the House of Lords in 2010, and even played a significant role in the early stages of the Northern Ireland peace process as Minister of State.
Mr Ancram was also chairman of the Conservative Party from 1998 to 2001 and then became deputy leader and shadow secretary of state for foreign and Commonwealth affairs for four years until 2005.
He leaves behind his heartbroken wife, Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard, as well as his two daughters, three granddaughters and five stepchildren.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education