Michael Ancram, the former deputy leader of the Conservative Party, has died at the age of 79, his family has announced.
The 13th Marquess of Lothian (as he was formally known) died in hospital with his family by his side after a brief illness.
His political career spanned 50 years, beginning in 1974 when he was first elected as Member of Parliament for Berwickshire and East Lothian, and returning to the House of Commons in 1979 as MP for Edinburgh South.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay paid tribute to the Tory stalwart, calling him a “first-class statesman and gentleman”.
Michael Ancram’s ministerial career included roles in the Scotland Office and the Northern Ireland Office.
As Secretary of State until 1997, he played a major role in the formative stages of the Northern Ireland peace process and was the first British minister to sit at the negotiating table with the IRA.
He served as deputy leader of the party for five years in the early 2000s under the leadership of Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.
Ancram was born on 7 July 1945 and was educated at Ampleforth College before studying history at Oxford University.
He went on to study law at the University of Edinburgh and practiced law in Scotland.
He was first elected to Parliament representing Berwickshire and East Lothian.
Although he lost the seat at the second general election in 1974, he returned to the House of Commons in 1979 as MP for Edinburgh South, defeating future Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
After losing the 1987 general election, he served again as Devizes MP in 1992 until his retirement from the House of Commons in May 2010.
Lord Lothian inherited the title from his father in 2004, becoming the 13th Marquess of Lothian, and became a life peer after leaving the House of Commons.
He is also a hereditary chief of Clan Kerr of Scotland, a testament to his deep Scottish roots.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Jane Fittslan-Howard;
The couple has three daughters, three grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
