It’s been announced today (Friday, September 26) that former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has died at the age of 84.
Born in Glasgow in 1941, he was educated at the city’s Hillhead High School and the University of Glasgow, where he was elected chair of the Liberal Club in 1962.
He was a talented sportsman, captaining the Great British athletics team in 1965 and holding the British record for the 100m sprint from 1967-1974 (with a time of 10.2 seconds).
Ming, as he was generally known, first stood for parliament in 1976, but did not win the North East Fife constituency until 1987, winning successive elections until standing down in 2015, the same year he entered the House of Lords.
He was a short-lived leader of the Liberal Democrats between 2006 and 2007, but was a political giant of his party, also serving as Deputy Leader, as well as being a spokesman for defence and foreign affairs.
It was in the latter role that he became a prominent opponent of the 2003 Iraq War, criticising Tony Blair’s unwavering support of President George W. Bush.
Here are 11 revealing quotes on what he thought of Blair and other political ruminations.
9. Menzies Campbell on...sexuality
"It is essential that we establish yet again in this country that sexuality is no bar to public office of any kind." | Getty Images
10. Menzies Campbell on...the justification for the Iraq War
"The threat was manufactured not in the sands of Iraq, but in the corridors of Whitehall." | Getty Images
11. Menzies Campbell on...the resignation of Charles Kennedy
"I have done my best to fulfil my responsibility to him and to the party in circumstances which were difficult for everyone.. It has been an enormously difficult time and there have been huge conflicts of loyalty. We have to accept the sincerity of intention of people in what it was they tried to do." | AFP via Getty Images