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| Former foreign secretary Pym dies | Former foreign secretary Pym dies |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Former Tory foreign secretary Lord Pym has died at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, his family has said. | Former Tory foreign secretary Lord Pym has died at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, his family has said. |
| He served as foreign secretary during the 1982 Falklands War following the resignation of Lord Carrington. | He served as foreign secretary during the 1982 Falklands War following the resignation of Lord Carrington. |
| But he left the cabinet when prime minister Margaret Thatcher won her second general election in 1983 and was ennobled four years later. | But he left the cabinet when prime minister Margaret Thatcher won her second general election in 1983 and was ennobled four years later. |
| During his long parliamentary career he was also Northern Ireland secretary and defence secretary. | During his long parliamentary career he was also Northern Ireland secretary and defence secretary. |
| Lord - then Francis - Pym was seen as a leading "wet" within the cabinet, arguing against some of the reforms advocated by the Thatcher government. | Lord - then Francis - Pym was seen as a leading "wet" within the cabinet, arguing against some of the reforms advocated by the Thatcher government. |
| War record | |
| His family said in a statement: "Lady Pym and her family are extremely sad to announce the death of her beloved husband Lord Pym after a prolonged illness. | His family said in a statement: "Lady Pym and her family are extremely sad to announce the death of her beloved husband Lord Pym after a prolonged illness. |
| "Francis died at home on March 7 just after midnight." | "Francis died at home on March 7 just after midnight." |
| Lord Pym first entered the Commons in 1961, after a career in business and a distinguished war record. | |
| He was awarded the Military Cross and twice mentioned in despatches after serving as a captain in the 9th Royal Lancers during the African and Italian campaigns. | |
| A private family funeral will take place shortly and a memorial service will be held later in the spring, said the family. |