Menzies Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Menzies Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem
22nd May 1941 - 26th September 2025
It is with the deepest sadness that Gregor Grant-Suttie announces the death of his beloved grandfather, Menzies Campbell, Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, the former Leader of the Liberal Democrats.
Gregor said:
“Ming achieved a lot through his life, across sport, law and politics. But the myriad of accolades and awards he collected in his professional life paled in comparison to his achievements as a husband, father figure, grandfather, and friend.
“He was a rare breed of Scotsman whose contribution and ideas spanned so much further than his home country's borders; his level of thinking around issues that were international, particularly around defence, gave Scotland the ability to be extremely proud of one of their own, whose ideas were so much larger than narrowly focused UK politics.
“He was of a generation where hard work and improving oneself through education were prioritised, while the modern day notion of relative standards versus others was alien to him - in every step of his life he only ever compared himself against his own exceptionally high standards.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:
“With a parliamentary career spanning five decades, Ming Campbell was a dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant.
“He was the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on foreign affairs when the world changed on 9/11, and his principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom. He spoke up for what was right, even when it was hard.
“Like so many of us, I benefitted greatly from Ming’s advice and guidance over the many years we worked closely together. But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague, with such generosity and humour.
“Ming was always great company - whether talking about sport with the authority of a captain of Britain’s athletics team and a British 100m record-holder, or asking about you and your family, when he would always pass on kind thoughts from his wife, Elspeth - his rock.
“All of us in the Liberal Democrat family and beyond will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Jeremy Purvis, said:
"Ming was a fighter and a campaigner all of his life – whether that was on the sports track, in the court room, the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
“He was a hugely important part of the Liberal Democrat group in the Lords and was respected throughout Westminster for his experience, internationalism, his wisdom and his great ability to construct a convincing argument – about almost anything at all. For those of us in Scottish Liberalism Ming was a true inspiration.
“Public life will be much the poorer without his contributions. Today we are all desperately sad that we have lost a friend and we will always remember him and the good that he has brought to our lives.”
ENDS
Ming passed in London after a period of respite care, before planning to return to Scotland, at the care facility Kyn Hurlingham. He died peacefully in the presence of his grandson; one of his final days was spent watching the Liberal Democrats Party Conference, and enjoying and watching video messages from political friends.
His family would like to thank his care facility, Kyn Hurlingham, for their exceptional care and attention over the last few months.
The family would be grateful for a period of privacy. Any inquiries should be directed to pressoffice@libdems.org.uk
