Dalyell left his body to medical science
Revealed, political giant’s final act of public service...
THE body of Tam Dalyell has been donated to the University of Edinburgh for research at the wishes of the former Labour MP.
The parliamentary veteran died last week, aged 84, following a short illness.
He was best known for raising the West Lothian Question – the issue of whether Scottish MPs should be granted a parliamentary vote on matters that affect only England, while MPs from England are unable to vote on devolved matters.
Dalyell, who sat in the Commons from 1962 to 2005, was married to teacher Kathleen and had two children, Gordon and Moira.
He asked for his body to be left to the University of Edinburgh for
‘Enormous contribution’
medical research after his death and requested a private burial.
A memorial service for friends and family will be held at St Michael’s Parish Church in Linlithgow on February 24. Another memorial service will be held in London, but the date has still to be set.
In a statement, his family said: ‘Tam Dalyell devoted his life to public service in Scotland, in the UK and beyond.
‘He made an enormous contribution in many spheres. He will be much missed both publicly, and more importantly personally, by his family and many friends.’ The outspoken Labour MP represented the West Lothian constituency – which later became Linlithgow – and was a vociferous campaigner. He took up causes including the Lockerbie bombing and the sinking of the General Belgrano – and was twice expelled from the Commons for calling Margaret Thatcher a liar.
He was also a vehement opponent of military intervention in Iraq and Kosovo, saying: ‘I will resist a war with every sinew in my body.’
His death sparked tributes from across the political spectrum.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said he was one of the most influential MPs, writers and thinkers of his generation.
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘Very sad to hear of the death of former Labour MP Tam Dalyell, a real giant of Scottish politics. My thoughts are with his family.’
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: ‘For four decades, Tam Dalyell was one of the truly great characters of Scottish political life. He was a leader – widely respected and admired for his insight, his integrity and his eloquence.’
UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he had been ‘a good friend and comrade’, adding: ‘Tam was a titan of parliamentary scrutiny, fearless in pursuit of the truth. From Iraq to the miners’ strike, he doggedly fought to expose official wrongdoing and cover-ups.
‘The title of his autobiography summed Tam up to a tee: The Importance of Being Awkward.’