Lord Ashdown dies from the cancer he only learnt he had 2 months ago

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader and ‘true patriot’ Paddy Ashdown died last night aged 77 after a short illness.

The former Royal Marine- turned-intelligence officer, diplomat and politician had revealed early last month that he was being treated for bladder cancer.

Elected as MP for Yeovil from 1983, Ashdown took over Britain’s third party in 1988 after its crushing 1987 wipeout, leading it to a stunning breakthrough at the 1992 election.

He was last night extolled as one of the ‘most talented politicians never to hold high office’ after being eclipsed by Labour’s 1997 Election having been on the brink of a coalition government.

After stepping down as leader in 1999, Mr Ashdown – who served in the Special Forces – was knighted and then made a peer as Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon. He became High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2002, and was an active campaigner for Remain in the 2016 referendum.

Last night, the Prime Minister led a chorus of cross-party tributes, remembering a man who ‘served his country with distinction’.

Theresa May said: ‘ It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Lord Ashdown. He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’

Current Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said it was ‘a hugely sad day’ for the party and everyone else across politics ‘who had immense affection and respect for Paddy’.

‘He was famous for his politics, but his talents extended well beyond that arena. He was an accomplished author, and had spent many years serving the country before he got near the House of Commons.

‘Few people know how hard he fought to get into politics following his service in the Marines and diplomatic service.’

Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major hailed his onetime rival as ‘a man of duty, passion and devotion to the country he loved – right up to the very end’.

‘In government, Paddy Ashdown was my opponent,’ he added. ‘In life, he was a much-valued friend. Throughout his life, Paddy was a true patriot, whose overriding wish was to serve his country: first, in the Marines, and then in both Houses of Parliament.

‘I can attest to the fact that – even when he knew he was gravely ill – Paddy’s concern for the future of our country continued to dominate his thinking.’

And fellow 1990s sparring partner Tony Blair, with whom Ashdown held talks about forming a coalition in 1997, said he was ‘ deeply saddened and shocked by the news about Paddy’.

‘I had enormous admiration for Paddy as a man and as a political visionary and leader.

‘He was one of the most talented politicians never to hold high office but as leader of the Liberal Democrats he nonetheless had a major impact on British political life.’

Another former Lib Dem leader, Tim Farron, said Lord Ashdown ‘took us from our worst polling result in history to our best, and he did that as one of life’s natural leaders’.

‘There was a very real fear he would be the first and last leader of our new party, but he turned it around.’ Sir Nick Clegg, who would as l eader t ake t he Lib Dems into government in 2010, said: ‘Paddy was the reason I entered politics. He was the reason I became a liberal.

‘He was a soldier, a diplomat, a writer, a leader, a campaigner, a servant of his constituents and an international statesman.

‘But the thing I admired most in him is that rarest of gifts – a politician without an ounce of cynicism.

‘He was the most heartfelt person I have known – loyal and generous to a fault. Like so many others, I will miss him terribly.’

Tory David Davis also paid tributes, saying: ‘We had many different views but he was a very good man.’ And Home Secretary Sajid Javid added Lord Ashdown was one ‘of the most friendly and compassionate people I have ever met in politics’.

Lord Ashdown will be famously remembered for his nickname ‘ Paddy Pantsdown’ after a fivemonth affair with his secretary in 1992. His marriage remained intact and he was last night survived by his wife Jane, whom he married in 1962, and his son and daughter.

A man of duty, passion and devotion to the country he loved – right to the very end – FORMER PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR