Former Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell dies aged 84

Lord Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and long-serving MP for North East Fife, has died at the age of 84, his family and party said. The family said he died peacefully in London on Saturday after a period of respite care at the Kyn Hurlingham facility, and that one of his final days was spent watching the Liberal Democrat conference.

Party leader Sir Ed Davey paid tribute to Campbell, widely known as Ming, calling him a dedicated public servant and a "true Liberal giant." Sir Ed praised Campbell's principled opposition to the 2003 Iraq war and his long record on foreign affairs, saying his stance marked "morality, courage and wisdom." The family’s statement was echoed by Campbell’s grandson, Gregor Grant-Suttie, who highlighted his achievements in sport, law and politics and described the accolades of public life as pale compared with his roles as husband, father figure and grandfather.

Campbell represented North East Fife at Westminster from 1987 until his retirement in 2015 and entered the House of Lords as Baron Campbell of Pittenweem thereafter. He led the Liberal Democrats from March 2006 to October 2007 and was the party’s foreign affairs...