Lord Lyell of Markgate
I was sorry to hear the news of the deaths of two active members of the House. Lord McIntosh of Haringey, who has died age 77, was a very active Deputy Government Chief Whip – a frequent performer at the Despatch Box – before fulfilling his ambition of becoming a minister of state. He subsequently chaired the ad hoc Select Committee on Regulators, on which I served. He had suffered from cancer for some time. He had a major operation some time ago, but appeared to be recovering and was back in the House. He will be much missed.
Lord Lyell of Markgate, who has died aged 71, served most of his political career in the House of Commons and was, as Sir Nicholas Lyell, the longest-serving Attorney General in modern history. He played an active part in the Lords and I got to know him well as a result of our service on the Constitution Committee. We would variously have lunch together in the Bishop’s Bar following a committee meeting. He played a full role in the work of the Committee and deployed his barrister’s skills in questioning witnesses. I knew he had been suffering from cancer for some time, but did not realise it had been diagnosed as long ago as 1998. Nor did I realise just how gifted an artist he was. His passing is also a loss to the House. I shall miss them both.
Lord Norton,
My condolences. I think I may have seen Lord Lyell on some of the archived debates and speeches online. If that is true he must have made an impression even in such arahter poor context.
May they with ‘all souls’ rest-in-peace’.
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Whilst I am usually strongly averse to ‘opportunism’ in such public-commentary as Lord Norton has, with sensitive objectivity, attached to this double obituary for Lords Lyell and McIntosh, a current Case of “assisted suicide” (suicide in Zurich by a similarly aged terminally-ill and increasingly-suffering British man)
is fresh before the public eye, also.
In the matter of “assisted suicide” or “euthanasia” the media report identifies the House of Lords as being both historically and currently “against it”.
This current topical death or ‘killing’ by three cancer-like irreversible illnesses, seems to make a current-affair needing first and foremostly extensive public-discussion; but not one should repeat NOT be yet subject to “debate” until all discussion disciplines have been completed, at least say ‘once-around’ over a period of 12 months to begin with ?
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With deep respect for the two late Lords and sober condolence to their loved ones and life-sharing-colleagues.
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(JSDM1731F03Sep10)
He seemed to me, in my passing acquaintance, a far tougher lawyer than his personal demeanour gave appearance to. A very clever man indeed.
Condolences.