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Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77 | Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77 |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Ex-Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 after a short illness, a party spokesperson has said. | Ex-Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 after a short illness, a party spokesperson has said. |
The former MP for Yeovil, who "made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism", passed away on Saturday evening, a statement said. | The former MP for Yeovil, who "made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism", passed away on Saturday evening, a statement said. |
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said Lord Ashdown had "made a real mark" on Parliament and it was "a hugely sad day". | Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said Lord Ashdown had "made a real mark" on Parliament and it was "a hugely sad day". |
Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. | Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. |
While his real name was Jeremy John Durham Ashdown, he was nicknamed Paddy when he moved to England, after spending his childhood years in Northern Ireland. | |
The longest serving leader of the Lib Dems in its history, Lord Ashdown led the party between 1988 and 1999, when it became a growing force in UK politics. | The longest serving leader of the Lib Dems in its history, Lord Ashdown led the party between 1988 and 1999, when it became a growing force in UK politics. |
After standing down as an MP in 2001, he served as the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, helping steer the country through its post-war reconstruction. | After standing down as an MP in 2001, he served as the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina, helping steer the country through its post-war reconstruction. |
Former Lib Dem leader and ex-deputy PM Sir Nick Clegg said Lord Ashdown was "the most heartfelt person I have known". | Former Lib Dem leader and ex-deputy PM Sir Nick Clegg said Lord Ashdown was "the most heartfelt person I have known". |
"Paddy was the reason I entered politics," he said. | "Paddy was the reason I entered politics," he said. |
"He was the reason I became a liberal. And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide." | "He was the reason I became a liberal. And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide." |
'A remarkable life' | |
People from outside of politics also paid tribute to the politician. | |
Monty Python actor John Cleese tweeted that it was "really terrible" news, while scientist and TV presenter Prof Brian Cox said Lord Ashdown had lived "a remarkable life". | |
Comedian Matt Forde also tweeted: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Paddy Ashdown. He was one of the great politicians of my lifetime, a proper heavyweight. | |
"His pragmatism never got in the way of his principles. He was also a great laugh. We need more politicians like Paddy, not less. RIP." | |
Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "Paddy Ashdown was a hero to me, he saved and revived the Liberal Democrats at our lowest ebb, and then led us to our best result for 70 years. | Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "Paddy Ashdown was a hero to me, he saved and revived the Liberal Democrats at our lowest ebb, and then led us to our best result for 70 years. |
"As a movement, we owe him our very existence." | "As a movement, we owe him our very existence." |
Sir Vince said Lord Ashdown was "a great inspiration". | Sir Vince said Lord Ashdown was "a great inspiration". |
"He was full of life, full of ideas," he told BBC News. | "He was full of life, full of ideas," he told BBC News. |
"Only three months ago he was absolutely buzzing with energy and ideas at our party conference". | "Only three months ago he was absolutely buzzing with energy and ideas at our party conference". |
Former Lib Dem leader Lord Steel said Lord Ashdown had transformed the party from one with just a handful of seats to being "a really influential party in Parliament". | Former Lib Dem leader Lord Steel said Lord Ashdown had transformed the party from one with just a handful of seats to being "a really influential party in Parliament". |
Lord Steel added: "The last time I spoke to him was just two or three weeks back, it was about the books he was writing. | Lord Steel added: "The last time I spoke to him was just two or three weeks back, it was about the books he was writing. |
"He was starting to carve out a new career as a really, very interesting author on books really to do with the Second World War, located in France, where, of course, he had a holiday house." | "He was starting to carve out a new career as a really, very interesting author on books really to do with the Second World War, located in France, where, of course, he had a holiday house." |
The party's leader in the House of Lords, Dick Newby, said Lord Ashdown was "a natural leader" who "kept the Liberal Democrats alive in our early years". | The party's leader in the House of Lords, Dick Newby, said Lord Ashdown was "a natural leader" who "kept the Liberal Democrats alive in our early years". |
Prime Minister Theresa May said Lord Ashdown "served his country with distinction" in both his military and political careers. | Prime Minister Theresa May said Lord Ashdown "served his country with distinction" in both his military and political careers. |
"He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed," she said. | "He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed," she said. |
Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said he admired the former Lib Dem leader "as a man and as a political visionary and leader". | Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said he admired the former Lib Dem leader "as a man and as a political visionary and leader". |
He said: "He had courage, personal and political, unafraid to speak his mind yet always open to the views of others. He was one of the least tribal politicians I have ever known." | He said: "He had courage, personal and political, unafraid to speak his mind yet always open to the views of others. He was one of the least tribal politicians I have ever known." |
Ex-Conservative prime minister Sir John Major hailed his former opponent as "a man of duty, passion, and devotion to the country he loved - right up to the very end". | Ex-Conservative prime minister Sir John Major hailed his former opponent as "a man of duty, passion, and devotion to the country he loved - right up to the very end". |
He added: "In government, Paddy Ashdown was my opponent. In life, he was a much-valued friend." | He added: "In government, Paddy Ashdown was my opponent. In life, he was a much-valued friend." |
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Lord Ashdown would be "greatly missed". | Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Lord Ashdown would be "greatly missed". |
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he had "seldom known a public servant with so much energy and dynamism." | Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted that he had "seldom known a public servant with so much energy and dynamism." |
"The UK, liberal democracy & rational, moderate, cross-party debate have lost a great advocate," he said. | "The UK, liberal democracy & rational, moderate, cross-party debate have lost a great advocate," he said. |
Lord Ashdown was an influential figure within the party and a strong supporter of Nick Clegg's controversial decision to take the party into coalition with the Conservatives in 2010. | Lord Ashdown was an influential figure within the party and a strong supporter of Nick Clegg's controversial decision to take the party into coalition with the Conservatives in 2010. |
He went on to play a role in the Remain campaign during the 2016 referendum. | He went on to play a role in the Remain campaign during the 2016 referendum. |
Prior to entering Parliament in 1983, he served as a Royal Marine and in the intelligence services. | Prior to entering Parliament in 1983, he served as a Royal Marine and in the intelligence services. |
During his time as the UN's administrator in Bosnia he forced through major political, economic and security reforms and helped build up Bosnia's state institutions. | During his time as the UN's administrator in Bosnia he forced through major political, economic and security reforms and helped build up Bosnia's state institutions. |
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said Lord Ashdown "served the people of the Balkans with passion and inspiration" and was "an agent of reconciliation". | The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said Lord Ashdown "served the people of the Balkans with passion and inspiration" and was "an agent of reconciliation". |