The co-founder of the Liberal Democrats, Dick Taverne has died at the age of 97.
Lord Taverne was a founder of the Lib Dems , when the SDP merged with the Liberal Party in 1988. He was appointed to the House of Lords in 1996.
Paying tribute, party leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “a passionate, principled and thoughtful colleague.”
The MP for Lincoln between 1962 and 1974, serving as a minister in both the Treasury and the Home Department, he famously won the 1973 Lincoln by-election, having resigned from the Labour Party over his pro-European views.
In 1970, Lord Taverne became the first Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Janice and by his daughters Suzanna and Caroline.
In a statement, the family said “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Dick Taverne.
“He was a much loved and loving husband, father and grandfather. We will all miss him enormously. He died peacefully early this morning at home in London.”
Sir Ed Davey told GB News: “Dick was a passionate, principled and thoughtful colleague who will be sorely missed by all of us in the Liberal Democrat family.
“A founding member of our party, Dick was a passionate European who inspired us all with his sharp intelligence and incredible experience in government, politics and beyond over many decades.
“His long and exceptional record of public service is an inspiration to us all, a reminder of what politics can be at its best.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him.”
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