Lord Menzies Campbell, affectionately known as Ming, passed away on Friday at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy that stretches across sport, law, and politics. His death in London, following a period of respite care, was announced by his grandson Gregor Grant-Suttie, who expressed the family’s “deepest sadness” at the loss of a beloved grandfather. Campbell’s remarkable life and career drew tributes from across the political spectrum, with colleagues and former rivals alike remembering him as both a principled leader and a warm, generous friend.
Born in Glasgow, Campbell’s early years were marked by a fierce dedication to self-improvement and hard work—a trait that would define his approach to every challenge. Before entering the political arena, Campbell was an accomplished athlete, competing in the 100 and 200-meter sprints and representing Great Britain at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. According to ITV News, he even captained Britain’s athletics team and once held the British record for the 100 meters. This athletic background, marked by discipline and resilience, would later inform his political style: focused, determined, and always striving for excellence.
Campbell’s parliamentary career began in earnest when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for North East Fife, a seat he held for nearly three decades. During his tenure, he became known as a tireless champion for his constituents in Fife and St Andrews, advocating for their interests with a blend of intellect and empathy. As the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on foreign affairs, Campbell was thrust into the international spotlight during some of the most tumultuous events of the early 21st century.
He was, notably, at the forefront of his party’s response to the 9/11 attacks, helping to navigate the rapidly changing global landscape. But it was his principled opposition to Britain’s involvement in the US-led invasion of Iraq that truly set him apart. As BBC reported, Campbell was an outspoken critic of the war, voicing his concerns with clarity and courage at a time when dissent was not always welcomed. Sir Ed Davey, the current leader of the Liberal Democrats, highlighted this aspect of Campbell’s legacy, stating, “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.”
Campbell’s leadership extended far beyond the parliamentary chamber. His grandson, Gregor Grant-Suttie, reflected on the breadth of his achievements, noting, “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 went on to describe Campbell as “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.”
Those who worked with Campbell, regardless of political affiliation, recalled his kindness and humanity. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, himself a Fife MP, remarked, “I remember him as a fellow Fife MP and a friend who was always great to work with cross party lines, who shared a strong sense of social justice and a belief in international cooperation. He will be remembered too for his kindness and humanity, always generous to other people, always considerate in giving his advice and in listening to the advice of others. In Scotland we will also remember him as one of our great leaders of recent times and Britain has lost a decent, compassionate, always courteous leader with whom it was always a pleasure to work.”
Campbell’s influence on the Liberal Democrats was profound. His leadership style was marked by a blend of intellectual rigor and personal warmth, making him a mentor to many within the party. Sir Ed Davey, reflecting on his predecessor’s impact, stated, “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. 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.”
Campbell’s approach to life was shaped by an ethos of self-improvement and high personal standards. His grandson described him as “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.” This drive not only propelled his athletic and legal careers but also made him a formidable force in politics, respected even by those who disagreed with him.
Throughout his life, Campbell remained deeply connected to Scotland, but his vision and influence reached far beyond its borders. His commitment to internationalism, social justice, and public service made him both a national and international figure. As reported by ITV News, he was remembered as a leader whose ideas transcended the narrow confines of domestic politics, earning respect across the UK and abroad.
His passing on September 26, 2025, marks the end of an era for the Liberal Democrats and for British public life more broadly. Yet, the tributes that have poured in from political leaders, colleagues, and family alike make clear that Campbell’s legacy is secure. He will be remembered not just for his achievements in Parliament or on the track, but for the decency, wisdom, and humanity he brought to every aspect of his life. Ming Campbell’s story is one of dedication—to his family, his constituents, his party, and his country—and his example will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.
