Sir Menzies Campbell, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats and a towering figure in British public life, has died peacefully in London at the age of 84. Known affectionately as "Ming" to colleagues and constituents alike, Campbell's passing on September 26, 2025, marks the end of an era in both British politics and athletics, two fields in which he left an indelible mark. His grandson, Gregor Grant-Suttie, was at his side at the Kyn Hurlingham care home, where Campbell spent his final days following a period of respite care.
Campbell, who represented North East Fife in Parliament for nearly three decades, was not only celebrated for his political acumen but also for his remarkable achievements as an athlete. Before turning to politics, he was dubbed "The Flying Scotsman," holding the British 100m sprint record from 1967 to 1974 with a blistering time of 10.2 seconds—a record set while outpacing an aspiring O.J. Simpson. He broke the Scottish 300 yards record in 1961 and captained the British men's team at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica, later competing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. According to the BBC, at one point Campbell was even known as "the fastest white man on the planet."
His journey from the tracks to the House of Commons began in earnest in 1974, when he first stood as a Liberal Party candidate. Success came in 1987, when he was elected MP for North East Fife—a seat he would hold for 28 years. Campbell quickly made his name as the party's foreign affairs spokesman, a position he held for 14 years, and became renowned for his principled and unwavering opposition to the 2003 Iraq War. As reported by Sky News, he argued passionately that Tony Blair's government should publish the attorney general's secret advice on the war's legality, a stance that cemented his reputation for moral courage and integrity.
Campbell's leadership of the Liberal Democrats, though brief from 2006 to 2007, was marked by both high ideals and political turbulence. He succeeded Charles Kennedy and led the party through a period of intense speculation about a possible general election, only to face internal pressure when then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced there would be no such election. Some within the party felt it was time for a younger leader, leading to Campbell's resignation—a move he always considered unfair. Sir Nick Clegg, who succeeded him, later remarked that Campbell had been a victim of ageism, noting, "He was on the receiving end of a persistent ageism—caricatured as a grandfatherly figure with his best days behind him when compared with rival leaders like Tony Blair and David Cameron."
Despite the brevity of his tenure as party leader, Campbell's influence extended well beyond his time at the helm. He was a respected and trusted voice on defence and foreign affairs, central to the public debate during and after the Iraq War. As former Prime Minister Gordon Brown posted on X, "He was one of the great leaders of our times and a decent, compassionate man." Even Tony Blair, whose government Campbell so often opposed, paid tribute to him as "one of the most honourable and decent people in politics," adding, "He was a true Liberal who supported the New Labour government through its constitutional reforms, was a staunch advocate of multilateral institutions and was a colleague you could trust and work with."
Throughout his political career, Campbell was known for his courteous and respectful approach—even when fiercely advocating for his beliefs. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described him as a "formidable and courteous political leader" who "served his constituents with devotion." Swinney added, "Those entering public service today could learn much from his style—always forthright in speaking up for what he believed in, but never anything other than respectful, courteous and polite to his political opponents."
Campbell's commitment to public service was matched by his dedication to education and the law. He was called to the Scottish bar in 1968, became a QC in 1982, and served as chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 2006 until his death. Wendy Chamberlain, the current MP for North East Fife, highlighted how Campbell "remained a significant figure" in the area, contributing to the university, the community, and the wider UK until his final weeks. She noted, "Although he found the passing of his beloved Elspeth difficult, rather than retreat, until the last weeks of his life, he was still travelling to London to contribute in the House of Lords."
His personal life was marked by a deep and enduring partnership with his wife, Lady Elspeth Grant-Suttie, whom he married in June 1970 just three months after meeting. The couple shared more than 50 years together until her death in June 2023. Campbell often described her as his "constant political companion, always my encouragement and forever my first line of defence." As Sir Nick Clegg recalled to BBC's World at One, "He spoke about when they first met. It was quite wonderful. You could see him transported back to the first time he set eyes on her." They had no children together, but she had a son from her first marriage, and Campbell's family remained a central pillar of his life.
In 2015, Campbell was made a life peer as Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, though he maintained his belief that the House of Lords should be "mainly elected." He pledged to continue promoting this idea "within the house itself." Even as his health declined, Campbell remained engaged in political life, watching the Liberal Democrat conference and enjoying video messages from friends in his final days. His grandson, Gregor Grant-Suttie, reflected, "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 added that Campbell was a "rare breed of Scotsman whose contribution and ideas spanned so much further than his home country's border," giving Scotland "the ability to be extremely proud of one of their own."
Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum. Ed Davey, current Liberal Democrat leader, called Campbell "a dedicated public servant, a tireless champion for Fife, St Andrews and the UK, and a true Liberal giant." He added, "But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague, with such generosity and humour. All of us in the Liberal Democrat family and beyond will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with all who loved him." Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, echoed these sentiments, describing Campbell as "one of the most respected politicians of his generation."
From the Olympic track to the benches of Westminster, Sir Menzies Campbell's life was one of service, integrity, and achievement. His wisdom, experience, and courtesy may have been undervalued during his time at the top, but the legacy he leaves behind is unmistakable—one that will be remembered by those who knew him and by generations to come.
