‘UK’s longest-living former MP’ Patrick Duffy dies | Politics | News | EUROtoday

A former Labour MP, believed to have been the longest-living ex Member of Parliament within the nation, has died, a household pal has confirmed. Former Defence Minister Sir Patrick Duffy died aged 105 following a brief sickness on January 2, household pal Kevin Meagher mentioned.

Paying tribute to the previous Labour minister, Mr Meagher mentioned Sir Patrick was “kind of a living historical jukebox” the place you may “push the buttons and say, what was it like to meet, you know, (former prime minister) Clement Attlee?” Sir Patrick was born in Wigan in 1920 and his earliest reminiscence was of the 1926 common strike, Mr Meagher mentioned, the place Britain’s miners walked out over makes an attempt by pit homeowners to extend their working hours however cut back their wages.

The household pal, who helped write Sir Patrick’s second ebook, printed when he was 103, described the previous MP as “pre-internet” and “pre-computer”, saying he used a typewriter or pen to write down up From Wigan To Westminster: Hot Wars, Cold Wars And The Carrier Strike Group – which mirrored on his political profession and modern-day points.

Mr Meagher advised the Press Association Sir Patrick, described as a dedicated Catholic, remained ahead wanting and continued to observe the information carefully.

Sir Patrick, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and obtained a papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II, was involved about Russia’s struggle in Ukraine and doable escalation, he added.

During World War 2, he survived a aircraft crash within the Orkney Islands whereas serving within the Fleet Air Arm.

Mr Meagher mentioned: “He lay in the fuselage of his aircraft for 24 hours on a Scottish mountainside literally freezing to death, until he was discovered and he took the last rites by a priest because they didn’t think he’d make it. When they found him the medics couldn’t inject him with morphine because his arm had literally frozen – they had to stab the needle into his arm to be able to get the morphine in. And he just mentioned this as an aside, this was extraordinary tale, but again, it’s that stoicism.”

Despite present process cosmetic surgery for his accidents he flew once more.

Sir Patrick first ran for Parliament in 1950 and was elected MP for the primary time in 1963 after profitable the Colne Valley by-election, earlier than holding a seat in Sheffield Attercliffe from 1970 to his retirement in 1992.

The struggle veteran served as parliamentary under-secretary for the Royal Navy for James Callaghan’s Labour authorities within the late Nineteen Seventies.

An announcement written by Mr Meagher, and authorized by Sir Patrick’s household, described him as: “An extraordinary man with a lifetime of accomplishments, Patrick leaves behind him family and friends – across all age groups – who will miss his kindness, humour and incredible acuity in recalling personalities and events from a century ago.

“Patrick’s was a life well-lived, brimming with achievement, the admiration of colleagues and the love and affection of his many family and friends.

“He will be greatly missed.”