Ex-Liberal Democrat leader Ming Campbell dies aged 84; tributes pour in

Menzies 'Ming' Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, the former Liberal Democrat leader, has died at the age of 84, it was announced Friday. He died in London in the presence of his grandson following a period of respite care. He spent one of his final days watching this week's Lib Dem conference and had been planning to return to his native Scotland.

Sir Ed Davey, the current Lib Dem leader, paid tribute to Lord Campbell as 'a true Liberal giant.' During his five-decade parliamentary career, Campbell held a string of frontbench roles before succeeding Charles Kennedy as leader in March 2006 at the age of 64. He quit the top job less than 18 months later after then-Labour prime minister Gordon Brown decided against a general election in 2007 and amid persistent questions about his age.

Lord Campbell, who was MP for North East Fife from 1987 to 2015, went on to serve as a long-serving chancellor of the University of St Andrews. Prior to his political career, Campbell was a sprinter who competed for Great Britain at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He was at one time known as 'the fastest white man on the planet' and, in 1967, set a new British 100m record of 10.2 seconds, a mark that stood until 1972. That race also saw him finish ahead of then-aspiring US athlete OJ Simpson.

Lord Campbell was pictured with his wife Elspeth at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton in September 2006, a moment highlighted by colleagues describing him as both a public figure and a warm family man.

Sir Ed said: 'With a parliamentary career spanning five decades, Ming Campbell was a dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant. He was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on foreign affairs when the world changed on 9/11, and his principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom. He spoke up for what was right, even when it was hard. Like so many of us, I benefited greatly from Ming's advice and guidance over the many years we worked closely together. But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague, with such generosity and humour. Ming was always great company - whether talking about sport with the authority of a captain of Britain's athletics team and a British 100m record-holder, or asking about you and your family, when he would always pass on kind thoughts from his wife, Elspeth - his rock. All of us in the Liberal Democrat family and beyond will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.'

Lord Campbell's grandson, Gregor Grant-Suttie, said: 'Ming achieved a lot through his life, across sport, law and politics. But the myriad of accolades and awards he collected in his professional life paled in comparison to his achievements as a husband, father figure, grandfather, and friend.'

The family thanked his care facility, Kyn Hurlingham, for their 'exceptional care and attention' over recent months.