04/12/2014

Former Liberal Leader Jeremy Thorpe Dies, Aged 85

Former Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe has died, aged 85.

Mr Thorpe died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Lord Steel of Aikwood, who succeeded him as party leader, said: "He had a genuine sympathy for the underprivileged – whether in his beloved North Devon where his first campaign was for 'mains, drains and a little bit of light' or in Africa, where he was a resolute fighter against apartheid and became a respected friend of people like President Kaunda of Zambia."

Thorpe was forced to resign as Leader of the Liberal Party in 1976 after a male acquaintance, Norman Scott, claimed to have had an affair with the politician in the early 1960s. Mr Thorpe denied the allegations and resigned from his position.

(CD/JP)

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