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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. | |
He served in the role 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 made a peer 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 economic reforms advocated by the Thatcher government. | |
In the run-up to the 1983 election he cautioned against a landslide victory for his party under Mrs Thatcher, which later happened. | |
War record | 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, educated at Eton and Cambridge, first entered the Commons in 1961 after a career in business. | |
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 of the Second World War. | |
A private family funeral will take place shortly and a memorial service will be held later in the spring, said the family. | A private family funeral will take place shortly and a memorial service will be held later in the spring, said the family. |