Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Talented, visionary & brave
Tributes to Paddy Ashdown
DAVID Steel has spoken of his grief over the “cruel” loss of ex-liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown.
Lord Steel was among figures from across the political spectrum to praise the politician’s vision and dedication.
Former Special Boat Service officer Lord Ashdown died on Saturday, aged 77, having announced in November he was suffering from bladder cancer.
Lord Steel, 80, Lord Ashdown’s predecessor as Liberal leader, said: “Paddy throughout his career had been seen as an action man, which was why the thought of his being ill seemed so unlikely and his premature death so cruel.
“He had told colleagues that he would be off for a little time while he was treated for cancer. It was not to be – it had spread more than he realised.”
PM Theresa May said Lord Ashdown had “served his country with distinction”, adding: “He dedicated his life to public service.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he would be “greatly missed”. And former Labour chief Neil Kinnock added: “Paddy Ashdown was brave in his military service and in his political thinking and action.” EX-PM Tony Blair said he admired him “as a man and as a political visionary and leader”.
And Gordon Brown said he was “one of the towering political figures of our generation”. Born in India but raised in Co Down, Lord Ashdown was elected MP for Yeovil as a Liberal in 1983 and led the newly formed Lib Dems from 1988 to 1999.
In 1992, it emerged he had a fivemonth affair with his secretary, leading to the nickname “Paddy Pantsdown”.
His marriage to wife Jane survived the scandal. After retiring as an MP in 2001, he was made a life peer.
He served as UN high representative for Bosnia from 2002 to 2006.