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Cecil Parkinson, British Politician Thwarted by Sex Scandal, Dies at 84 Cecil Parkinson, British Politician Thwarted by Sex Scandal, Dies at 84
(5 days later)
Cecil Parkinson, who held senior posts in the British government under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and was seen as her possible successor until a sex scandal forced him to resign, died on Friday in Britain. He was 84. Cecil Parkinson, who held senior posts in the British government under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and was seen as her possible successor until a sex scandal forced him to resign, died on Jan. 22 in Britain. He was 84.
The cause was cancer, his family said.The cause was cancer, his family said.
After managing the Conservative Party’s 1983 election campaign, leading to a landslide victory four years after Mrs. Thatcher had become prime minister, Mr. Parkinson was poised to rise in the government. Mrs. Thatcher considered elevating him to foreign secretary or chancellor of the Exchequer.After managing the Conservative Party’s 1983 election campaign, leading to a landslide victory four years after Mrs. Thatcher had become prime minister, Mr. Parkinson was poised to rise in the government. Mrs. Thatcher considered elevating him to foreign secretary or chancellor of the Exchequer.
But his prospects ended the day after the election when, according to Mrs. Thatcher’s memoirs, she received a letter from Col. Hastings Keays saying that his daughter Sara had been having a long-running affair with Mr. Parkinson and that she was carrying his child.But his prospects ended the day after the election when, according to Mrs. Thatcher’s memoirs, she received a letter from Col. Hastings Keays saying that his daughter Sara had been having a long-running affair with Mr. Parkinson and that she was carrying his child.
Mr. Parkinson was instead put in charge of the trade and industry department. He resigned a few months later, when the affair became public.Mr. Parkinson was instead put in charge of the trade and industry department. He resigned a few months later, when the affair became public.
Sara Keays said that Mr. Parkinson had promised to leave his wife and marry her and had pressured her to have an abortion, but that she had refused.Sara Keays said that Mr. Parkinson had promised to leave his wife and marry her and had pressured her to have an abortion, but that she had refused.
Mrs. Thatcher brought Mr. Parkinson back to the cabinet four years later, but by then his career had peaked. He served in the House of Lords until he retired last year after becoming ill.Mrs. Thatcher brought Mr. Parkinson back to the cabinet four years later, but by then his career had peaked. He served in the House of Lords until he retired last year after becoming ill.
He was born on Sept. 1, 1931, in Camforth, England. The son of a railway worker, he won a scholarship to Cambridge University. He began his career in Parliament in 1970 and had a successful career in business.He was born on Sept. 1, 1931, in Camforth, England. The son of a railway worker, he won a scholarship to Cambridge University. He began his career in Parliament in 1970 and had a successful career in business.
Survivors include his wife, Ann; their three daughters, Mary, Emma and Joanna; and his daughter with Ms. Keays, Flora.Survivors include his wife, Ann; their three daughters, Mary, Emma and Joanna; and his daughter with Ms. Keays, Flora.