Francis Pym, doyen of the Tory wets, dies aged 86

12 April 2012

Francis Pym, foreign secretary during the Falklands War, died yesterday at the age of 86.

He lost his fight against a long illness in the early hours, his family said.

Lord Pym held seven cabinet posts, including defence secretary in Margaret Thatcher's first government.

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Man of principle: Francis Pym and Margaret Thatcher at a Brussels summit in 1983

He is best remembered for taking over at the Foreign Office in 1982, when Lord Carrington resigned following the Argentine invasion.

A year later, after a landslide poll victory, Mrs Thatcher axed him from her Cabinet in a cull of '"wets" in revolt over her economic policy.

On the eve of the election, Pym had expressed the hope that the Tories would not win by too large a majority.

Politicians last night paid tribute to a "distinguished parliamentarian", who was decorated for bravery in the Second World War.

David Cameron, leader of the Tories, said: "I was sad to hear of the death of Lord Pym.

"He served the country he loved with great courage in wartime and great distinction in peace.

"His was a life dedicated to public service."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "He was a distinguished parliamentarian, who served his country for more than 45 years in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords.

"He was a man of great decency and principle and everyone will remember him as a good man who always did what he thought was right for his country."

Baroness Thatcher was not immediately available for comment.

But Sir Bernard Ingham, her press secretary, said: "He had a wonderful speaking voice and a good parliamentary presence.

"On the Falklands, he was always much more inclined to reach a settlement rather than on winning the war."

Pym was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge, before seeing war service as a captain in the 9th Royal Lancers.

Twice mentioned in despatches, he fought at El Alamein in 1942 and won the Military Cross in 1945.

He saw himself as a One Nation Tory and, after his dismissal in 1983, set up a group to recapture the Conservative Party "for the traditional brand of Toryism".

Sir John Major said Lord Pym had been his "neighbour, mentor and friend".

The former PM added: "He served his country in an exemplary fashion, in war and peace, in the Commons and the Lords."

Lord Pym is survived by his wife, Valerie, and four children.

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