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Speaker in tribute to Weatherill Speaker in tribute to Weatherill
(about 1 hour later)
Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin has paid tribute to one of his predecessors Lord Weatherill, who died at the weekend at the age of 86. Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin has paid tribute to one of his predecessors, Lord Weatherill, who died at the weekend at the age of 86.
Mr Martin told MPs he had been "thoroughly patient and courteous" and "incapable of malice".Mr Martin told MPs he had been "thoroughly patient and courteous" and "incapable of malice".
Lord Weatherill - formerly Bernard Weatherill - served as speaker from 1983 to 1992.Lord Weatherill - formerly Bernard Weatherill - served as speaker from 1983 to 1992.
Mr Martin said he had been a "most approachable man" who had been a "speaker for the back benches".Mr Martin said he had been a "most approachable man" who had been a "speaker for the back benches".
Lord Weatherill was best known for overseeing the introduction of television cameras into the CommonsLord Weatherill was best known for overseeing the introduction of television cameras into the Commons
'Thimble''Thimble'
He died at the Marie Curie Community Hospice in Caterham, Surrey, on Sunday night after a short illness.He died at the Marie Curie Community Hospice in Caterham, Surrey, on Sunday night after a short illness.
I don't know what this place is coming to, Tom, they've got my tailor in here now Tory MP, overheard by Lord Weatherill Obituary: Lord WeatherillI don't know what this place is coming to, Tom, they've got my tailor in here now Tory MP, overheard by Lord Weatherill Obituary: Lord Weatherill
Bernard Weatherill - widely known as Jack - was educated at Malvern College before being apprenticed into the family's Saville Row tailoring business.Bernard Weatherill - widely known as Jack - was educated at Malvern College before being apprenticed into the family's Saville Row tailoring business.
He served in the Indian Army during World War II and was elected to Parliament as Conservative MP for Croydon North East in 1964, which he held until his retirement in 1992.He served in the Indian Army during World War II and was elected to Parliament as Conservative MP for Croydon North East in 1964, which he held until his retirement in 1992.
Mr Martin said: "Like most good people, he never forgot where he came from and carried a thimble in his speaker's waistcoat as a reminder of his craft."Mr Martin said: "Like most good people, he never forgot where he came from and carried a thimble in his speaker's waistcoat as a reminder of his craft."
He added: "Throughout his career he had an excellent reputation as a constituency Member of Parliament and he served his party as a deputy chief whip.He added: "Throughout his career he had an excellent reputation as a constituency Member of Parliament and he served his party as a deputy chief whip.
"I first met him in 1979 and found him a most approachable man. He was always very kind to young backbenchers...."I first met him in 1979 and found him a most approachable man. He was always very kind to young backbenchers....
"He said he would be a speaker for backbenchers and he kept his word."He said he would be a speaker for backbenchers and he kept his word.
"He was a person you could turn to for help and advice and we became and remained close friends.""He was a person you could turn to for help and advice and we became and remained close friends."
In the Lords, crossbencher Baroness Boothroyd, who succeeded Lord Weatherill as speaker, said: "He was totally loyal, committed and supportive to those who worked with him.
"He was my dear friend and mentor and I shall miss him very much."
Lord Weatherill leaves a wife and three children.Lord Weatherill leaves a wife and three children.