Scots Tory stalwart dies aged 79 after short illness
MICHAEL Ancram, a former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, has died at the age of 79, his family said.
A family statement said the 13th Marquess of Lothian, as he was formally known, died in hospital in the early hours of October 1 after a short illness.
He was surrounded by close family.
Lord Donald Cameron, a former Scotland Office minister and former MSP, said his uncle, Michael Ancram, had been “a huge support and inspiration”.
“Some very sad news tonight,” he said on social media site X.
“Michael was a man of great warmth, humour and generosity.
“As an uncle, he was a huge support and inspiration to me.
“We will all miss him very much. Eternal rest grant unto him.”
New Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay posted on X: “I am sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Ancram who was a first-rate politician and a gentleman.
“The thoughts of all in the Scottish Conservatives are with his wife and family.”
Mr Ancram is a highly regarded stalwart of the Tory party who had a career that spanned over five decades.
His career in politics began back in 1974 when he was first elected to Parliament as MP for Berwickshire & East Lothian when was 29 years old.
After a successful spell in the House of Commons, he went on to join the House of Lords in 2010, and even played a significant role in the early stages of the Northern Ireland peace process as Minister of State.
Mr Ancram was also the Chairman of the Conservative Party from 1998 until 2001 and went on to become Deputy Leader and Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for four years until 2005.
He leaves behind his heartbroken wife, Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard, as well as his two daughters three grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.