FORMER Chancellor Lord Nigel Lawson has passed away at the age of 91.
During his life and career he made an incredible impression on British politics.
Born in Hampstead, North London, on March 11, 1932, Lord Nigel Lawson completed National Service in the Royal Navy before becoming a journalist at the Financial Times in 1956.
He stood unsuccessfully at the 1970 general election for the Eton and Slough seat, before becoming MP for Blaby, Leicestershire.
Lord Lawson served as Chancellor for six and a half years from 1983 until 1989, when he dramatically quit the Cabinet over furious rows over Europe.
He served as MP for Blaby between 1974 and 1992 – and backed Brexit.
During his life, Nigel had six children.
He had four from his first marriage, and two from his second.
Nigel is famously known for being the dad of TV chef Nigella Lawson, and journalist Dominic Lawson.
Nigel died at the age of 91 on April 3, 2023, but a cause of death has not been revealed.
Rishi Sunak led tributes to the man he said was one of his political inspirations.
The Prime Minister tweeted: “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.”
Boris Johnson also paid tribute to Margaret Thatcher’s right-hand man.
The former PM praised the ex-MP and peer as a “fearless tax cutter” and “prophet of Brexit”.
Boris said of the “giant” of British politics: “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.”
Nigel was married twice during his life.
He wed his first wife Vanessa Salmon, heiress to the Lyons Corner House firm, in 1955.
The couple divorced in 1980 and Lawson subsequently married Commons researcher Therese Maclear.
The couple separated in 2008.
