Tributes have been paid to Conservative former chancellor Nigel Lawson after his death, aged 91.
Following the announcement in the Telegraph, Rishi Sunak, former prime minister Boris Johnson, Tory chairman Greg hands and ex-chancellor Sajid Javid were among those marking Mr Lawson’s death.
Rishi Sunak said: “One of the first things I did as Chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk.
“He was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.
“My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
One of the first things I did as Chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) April 3, 2023
He was a transformational Chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others.
My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/SPwcnoUFnQ
Boris Johnson said: “Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.
“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Current and former Conservative cabinet ministers said Mr Lawson was one of “Britain’s greatest public servants”.
Jeremy Hunt, the current chancellor, described Mr Lawson as “a rarity amongst politicians, someone who transformed our thinking as well as transforming our economy”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Twitter: “Sad news that Nigel Lawson has died.
“A true statesman. His contributions to this nation will not be forgotten.”
Sajid Javid tweeted: “Very saddened to hear this.
“One of Britain’s greatest public servants, especially as Chancellor. Thinking of his family. May he RIP.”
The 91-year-old, who is also father to TV chef Nigella, retired from the House of Lords this year ending a parliamentary career stretching back nearly five decades.
It was announced the Conservative grandee and leading Brexiteer had stepped down from the upper chamber on December 31 as peers returned to Westminster after the Christmas break.
He represented the former Leicestershire constituency of Blaby in the Commons from 1974 until 1992, before taking his seat on the red benches the same year.
Joining Margaret Thatcher’s newly elected government in 1979, he served as her chancellor from 1983 to 1989.
The decision by Mr Lawson to quit in October 1989 came as a heavy blow to Margaret Thatcher and helped to precipitate the events which led to her downfall the following year.
His walkout was triggered by her refusal to sack her economics adviser, Professor Sir Alan Walters, whom he accused of undermining his position.
The parliamentary record shows Lord Lawson of Blaby, who chaired the Vote Leave campaign during the EU referendum, last spoke in the House in April 2019 when he raised the spectre of “undesirable insurrectionary forces” if Parliament refused to accept the result of the Brexit vote.
He was also founding chairman of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, which has lobbied against climate change policies such as net zero.
