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Tory ex-minister Lord Biffen dies Tory ex-minister Lord Biffen dies
(about 4 hours later)
Former Conservative Cabinet minister Lord Biffen has died, aged 76, his family said. Conservative peer Lord Biffen, a key member of Margaret Thatcher's first government, has died, aged 76.
Lord Biffen served in Margaret Thatcher's first two governments but was sacked in 1987, when he was famously described as "semi-detached". He served in her first two governments but was sacked in 1987, when her press secretary famously labelled him "semi-detached".
He died on Tuesday in Shrewsbury after being admitted to hospital on Saturday with septicaemia.He died on Tuesday in Shrewsbury after being admitted to hospital on Saturday with septicaemia.
Former colleague Lord Heseltine said he was a "cerebral" politician who was liked by all parties. Tory leader David Cameron led tributes, describing Lord Biffen as a "thoughtful and principled politician".
A Eurosceptic and early disciple of Enoch Powell, Lord Biffen had a reputation as an honest and independent-minded MP. Mr Cameron added: "He was also a great House of Commons man and was liked and respected across all parties."
His opposition to state intervention in economic policy and championing of tight fiscal policy prevented his advancement under Edward Heath but helped his promotion under Margaret Thatcher, who made him a key part of her first Cabinet in 1979.
'Fine mind''Fine mind'
Lord Heseltine, a friend since the 1950s, paid tribute to Lord Biffen as a balanced and "reasonable" politician. Lord Heseltine, a friend since the 1950s, praised Lord Biffen as a balanced and reasonable politician.
"John was not what you'd call a sort of party politician."John was not what you'd call a sort of party politician.
Margaret Thatcher's CabinetMargaret Thatcher's Cabinet
"He wasn't in the business of scoring the easy points. He was a very cerebral politician, he had a very fine mind and he thought a great deal - and a very original mind," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."He wasn't in the business of scoring the easy points. He was a very cerebral politician, he had a very fine mind and he thought a great deal - and a very original mind," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Conservative leader David Cameron added to praise of Lord Biffen, describing him as "a thoughtful and principled politician". A Eurosceptic and early disciple of Enoch Powell, Lord Biffen had a reputation as an honest and independent-minded figure.
"He was also a great House of Commons man and was liked and respected across all parties." His opposition to state intervention in economic policy and championing of tight fiscal policy prevented his advancement under Edward Heath but helped his promotion under Margaret Thatcher, who made him a key part of her first Cabinet in 1979.
Lord Biffen had been the MP for Oswestry from 1961 to 1983 when he won a by-election, then for Shropshire North from 1983 to 1997 when he was given a peerage. He had been the MP for Oswestry from 1961 to 1983 when he won a by-election, then for Shropshire North from 1983 to 1997 when he was given a peerage.
He became chief secretary to the Treasury in 1979, moving on to be trade secretary in 1981 and then leader of the House of Commons until 1987.He became chief secretary to the Treasury in 1979, moving on to be trade secretary in 1981 and then leader of the House of Commons until 1987.
'Clear opinions''Clear opinions'
Lord Biffen was famously called a "semi-detached" member of the Cabinet by Margaret Thatcher's press secretary Bernard Ingham after he criticised some policy decisions and called for a "balanced ticket" at the next election.Lord Biffen was famously called a "semi-detached" member of the Cabinet by Margaret Thatcher's press secretary Bernard Ingham after he criticised some policy decisions and called for a "balanced ticket" at the next election.
He was dropped from the front bench after the 1987 general election.He was dropped from the front bench after the 1987 general election.
He was always prepared to put his principles before his political ambitions Nicholas WoodLord Biffen's stepson He was always prepared to put his principles before his political ambitions Nicholas WoodLord Biffen's stepson class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6945600.stm">Obituary: Lord Biffen
Current Leader of the House Harriet Harman also remembered Lord Biffen - who took up the post in the year she was elected to Parliament - as a "great" leader of the house.Current Leader of the House Harriet Harman also remembered Lord Biffen - who took up the post in the year she was elected to Parliament - as a "great" leader of the house.
"Despite being Leader of the House at the height of Thatcherism, he made all Members of Parliament - even those of us in opposition - feel he was our Leader of the House too.""Despite being Leader of the House at the height of Thatcherism, he made all Members of Parliament - even those of us in opposition - feel he was our Leader of the House too."
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson also paid tribute to his predecessor, saying "he had clear opinions...fluently expressed, and a glorious sense of humour even in his last few years.North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson also paid tribute to his predecessor, saying "he had clear opinions...fluently expressed, and a glorious sense of humour even in his last few years.
"He was proud of being called 'semi-detached' by Bernard Ingham, retained his independence, and was true to his principles and core beliefs.""He was proud of being called 'semi-detached' by Bernard Ingham, retained his independence, and was true to his principles and core beliefs."
'Sensitive man''Sensitive man'
Lord Biffen suffered kidney problems and had been on dialysis. Since 2005 he had been vice-chair of the All-party Parliamentary Kidney Group and was also a patron of the National Kidney Foundation.Lord Biffen suffered kidney problems and had been on dialysis. Since 2005 he had been vice-chair of the All-party Parliamentary Kidney Group and was also a patron of the National Kidney Foundation.
He is survived by his wife Sarah, stepson Nicholas Wood and stepdaughter Lucy Eggleton.He is survived by his wife Sarah, stepson Nicholas Wood and stepdaughter Lucy Eggleton.
Mr Wood said: "I think he was, unusually perhaps for a politician, an extremely sensitive man.Mr Wood said: "I think he was, unusually perhaps for a politician, an extremely sensitive man.
"He was respected by people from all political backgrounds."He was respected by people from all political backgrounds.
"For somebody who had risen so high, he was not very ambitious. He was always prepared to put his principles before his political ambitions.""For somebody who had risen so high, he was not very ambitious. He was always prepared to put his principles before his political ambitions."