Lib Dem legend Paddy is dead
Tributes pour in for former Lib Dem leader
Paddy Ashdown, the former leader of the Liberal Democats, has died aged 77 after a short illness.
A spokesman for the party sa id A shdow n d ied on Saturday evening.
Tributes poured in for the former Royal Marine, who led the party from 1988 to 1999.
The current leader of the Lib Dems, Vince Cable, praised Ashdown as a “powerful voice” and said he would be sadly missed. He said: “Our thoughts a re wi th Jane and Paddy ’s family this evening.
“This is a hugely sad day for the Liberal Democrats and for the very many people across pol i t ic a l and public life who had immense a f f ect ion and respect for Paddy.
“He was famous for his pol itics but his talents extended wel l beyond that arena. He was an accomplished author, and had spent many years serving the country before he got near the House of Commons.
“In recent years, he has been a powerful voice of real signi f icance to the proEuropean cause. He will be sadly missed in all parts of politics and Parliament.”
The leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Dick Newby, said: “Paddy was a natura l l eader – energetic, charismatic and strategic.
“He kept the Liberal Democrats alive in our early years and never lo s t hi s ver ve for promoting liberal values. Having worked with him for 30 years , I w il l miss him greatly.” Ashdown, MP for Yeovil from 1983 to 2001, hit the headlines four years into his leadership when, in 1992, he revealed he’d had a f ive- month af fair with his secretary, which led to him being nicknamed “Paddy Pantsdown”.
His marriage to wife Jane survived the scandal.
After stepping down as leader in 1999, Ashdown – who served in the Special Boat Service during his time in the forces – was knighted and then made a peer as Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon.
He became High Representa- tive for Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2002.
Sir Nick Clegg, another former Lib Dem leader, said: “Paddy was the reason I entered politics. He was the reason I became a liberal.
“And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide. Much will, rightly, be said about him in the days ahead. 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.”
Paddy has been a powerful voice for the proEurope cause. He will be sadly missed