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| Michael Spicer: Former Tory MP and ERG founder dies aged 76 | Michael Spicer: Former Tory MP and ERG founder dies aged 76 |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Lord Michael Spicer, the former Conservative MP and founder of the Eurosceptic European Research Group, has died in hospital at the age of 76. | Lord Michael Spicer, the former Conservative MP and founder of the Eurosceptic European Research Group, has died in hospital at the age of 76. |
| Lord Spicer was a Worcestershire MP between 1974 and 2010 and chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee between 2001 and 2010. | Lord Spicer was a Worcestershire MP between 1974 and 2010 and chairman of the backbench 1922 Committee between 2001 and 2010. |
| A family spokesman said he had Parkinson's disease and leukaemia. | A family spokesman said he had Parkinson's disease and leukaemia. |
| His widow, Lady Patricia Ann Hunter, paid tribute to the "amazing husband and wonderful father". | His widow, Lady Patricia Ann Hunter, paid tribute to the "amazing husband and wonderful father". |
| She added he had remained involved in politics until his death. | She added he had remained involved in politics until his death. |
| A statement released on behalf of the family said: "Ann, the wife of Lord Michael Spicer and her family wish to announce that Michael died peacefully this morning in hospital after a long illness. | A statement released on behalf of the family said: "Ann, the wife of Lord Michael Spicer and her family wish to announce that Michael died peacefully this morning in hospital after a long illness. |
| "They are sure that many will be sad to hear this news. They would be grateful for a few moments privacy whilst they take into account what has happened." | "They are sure that many will be sad to hear this news. They would be grateful for a few moments privacy whilst they take into account what has happened." |
| Lord Spicer was the MP for South Worcestershire between 1974 and 1997 and after a boundary change represented the constituency of West Worcestershire. | Lord Spicer was the MP for South Worcestershire between 1974 and 1997 and after a boundary change represented the constituency of West Worcestershire. |
| He served in various ministerial positions from 1984 to 1990, including at the Department of Trade and Department for Transport, and was given a life peerage in 2010. | |
| In 1993 he founded the ERG, a Eurosceptic group of Conservative MPs, which has in recent years played a prominent role in promoting Brexit. | In 1993 he founded the ERG, a Eurosceptic group of Conservative MPs, which has in recent years played a prominent role in promoting Brexit. |
| Speaking in the House of Lords in June last year, he described himself as "a pain in the neck to those who want to stay in Europe." | |
| He added: "The essence of why I oppose staying in the European Union is that it seems to me that the nation state is the best unit for democracy." | |
| Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Lord Spicer had a "great sense of fun and humour as well as being devoted to his family, constituency and Parliament". | Former Prime Minister David Cameron said Lord Spicer had a "great sense of fun and humour as well as being devoted to his family, constituency and Parliament". |
| Conservative party chairman Brandon Lewis described Lord Spicer as "a kind, courteous and faithful member" of the party, while MP Priti Patel lauded his "achievements during the Thatcher government". | Conservative party chairman Brandon Lewis described Lord Spicer as "a kind, courteous and faithful member" of the party, while MP Priti Patel lauded his "achievements during the Thatcher government". |
| Ms Patel said: "Sad to learn of the death of Michael Spicer. | Ms Patel said: "Sad to learn of the death of Michael Spicer. |
| "He led the Eurosceptic movement in Parliament during the 1990s and was well known for his achievements during the Thatcher government. My thoughts are with his wife and family." | "He led the Eurosceptic movement in Parliament during the 1990s and was well known for his achievements during the Thatcher government. My thoughts are with his wife and family." |
| Fellow Tory MP Steve Baker and ERG member added: "I'm very sorry to learn Michael Spicer... has passed away. My condolences to his friends and family." | Fellow Tory MP Steve Baker and ERG member added: "I'm very sorry to learn Michael Spicer... has passed away. My condolences to his friends and family." |