Tributes to former MP who dedicated life to public office
AHOUSE of Lords peer who served as an Member of Parliament for Cheltenham has died, aged 74.
Nigel Jones, who became Lord Jones of Cheltenham after obtaining a life peerage in 2005, became a Liberal Democrat MP in 1992 after winning the seat from the Conservative Party.
He had previously contested the seat unsuccessfully at the 1979 General Election.
In a statement released through the political party his family has said they are “all reeling” from his death.
One of his former Cheltenham Borough Councillor colleagues, Max Wilkinson (LD, Oakley) said he “gave so much to Cheltenham and asked for nothing in return”.
During his 13 years in office, Lord Jones was a member of the public accounts committee from 2002 to 2005 and was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on a number of topics.
This included local government, sport, science and technology, consumer affairs, sport and culture, trade and industry, and international development.
Prior to becoming an MP, Lord Jones served as a councillor at Gloucestershire County Council and was a project manager at International Computers Limited (ICL), a company he rejoined after previously working there as a computer programmer.
In 2000, Lord Jones was attacked with a Japanese sword at his constituency office resulting in him needing 57 stitches to wounds to his hand. Lord Jones’ assistant, Andrew Pennington, was also attacked and died from his injuries.
Robert Ashman was charged with manslaughter and attempted murder, but a jury found him mentally unfit to stand trial.
He was detained in Broadmoor Hospital for observation, and the Home Office authorised a further trial in September 2002.
Ashman was subsequently found guilty of attempted murder, and he admitted to Mr Pennington’s manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Mr Pennington was posthumously awarded the George Medal for his attempts to protect Lord Jones. Lord Jones leaves behind his wife, Katherine whom he married at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1981, his son, Sam, and twin daughters, Amy and Lucy. A statement from the family said: “We are all reeling from the loss of Nigel, Lord Jones of Cheltenham, who died on Monday 7 November 2022 aged 74.
“We are grateful to those who abided by our request to refrain from commenting or reporting on the news until we had reached all family members. “We understand that many people will want to pay their own tributes and pass on condolences, which we would gratefully receive via the Cheltenham Liberal Democrats office. “Please do not send flowers but instead consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, or a local food bank. “In the meantime, we request privacy to mourn our beloved husband, dad, brother, uncle, father-in-law, and grandad.”
Mr Wilkinson said: I’m so very sad about the loss of my friend and mentor. Nigel gave so much to Cheltenham and asked for nothing in return.
“Thank you Nigel, for all you did for all of us.”
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Lord Nigel Jones and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
‘’Nigel dedicated much of his life to public office serving as a Gloucestershire county councillor and then as the MP for Cheltenham before receiving a peerage to sit in the House of Lords.
“Nigel was an active parliamentarian for Cheltenham, he worked to ensure that GCHQ stayed in the borough and took a keen interest in various subjects from housing, local government, consumer affairs to international development.
“He will be missed by everyone that knew him but he leaves a proud record of achievements and his contribution to Cheltenham and Gloucestershire will be his lasting legacy.”