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PM pays tribute to Lord McAlpine after former Tory deputy chair dies at 71 PM pays tribute to Lord McAlpine after former Tory deputy chair dies at 71
(about 3 hours later)
Lord McAlpine, the former Tory party deputy chairman, who in his final years successfully sued a number of institutions and individuals after being falsely linked to child abuse, has died.Lord McAlpine, the former Tory party deputy chairman, who in his final years successfully sued a number of institutions and individuals after being falsely linked to child abuse, has died.
A statement from the 71-year-old's family on Saturday said: "It is with great sadness that the family of Lord McAlpine announce his peaceful death last night at his home in Italy."A statement from the 71-year-old's family on Saturday said: "It is with great sadness that the family of Lord McAlpine announce his peaceful death last night at his home in Italy."
A tweet from David Cameron's official Twitter account read: "My thoughts are with Lord McAlpine's family – he was a dedicated supporter of Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative party."A tweet from David Cameron's official Twitter account read: "My thoughts are with Lord McAlpine's family – he was a dedicated supporter of Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative party."
McAlpine, one of Baroness Thatcher's closest aides during her time in Downing Street, had been retired from public life for some years when he was thrust back into the limelight over a poorly researched Newsnight investigation in 2012.McAlpine, one of Baroness Thatcher's closest aides during her time in Downing Street, had been retired from public life for some years when he was thrust back into the limelight over a poorly researched Newsnight investigation in 2012.
The broadcast about historical allegations of child abuse at care homes in north Wales had claimed the involvement of a "leading Conservative".The broadcast about historical allegations of child abuse at care homes in north Wales had claimed the involvement of a "leading Conservative".
McAlpine was not named in the programme, but he was incorrectly linked to the claims on the internet, including by the speaker's wife, Sally Bercow, and the actor Alan Davies. McAlpine was not named in the programme, but he was incorrectly linked to the claims on the internet, including by the speaker's wife, Sally Bercow, and the actor Alan Davies. It quickly emerged that although Newsnight had been referring to McAlpine that, their chief witness had been mistaken. An inquiry by the BBC Scotland director, Ken MacQuarrie, concluded that Newsnight had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks" and McAlpine launched a series of successful libel cases to clear his name.
It quickly emerged that although Newsnight had been referring to McAlpine, their chief witness had been mistaken. An inquiry by the BBC Scotland director, Ken MacQuarrie, concluded that Newsnight had failed to complete "basic journalistic checks" and McAlpine launched a series of successful libel cases to clear his name. Former Tory minister Lord Tebbit said: "He was deeply upset that anybody would for a moment believe that of him. It centred around a faintly ridiculous idea that Alistair had some role in organising a gay sex scandal at Number 10. You only have to ask yourself about what Denis Thatcher would have said about such a proposal to realise it was totally absurd."
The allegations forced the corporation's then director general, George Entwistle, to quit his job after less than two months, saying that as editor-in chief he had to take "ultimate responsibility" for the error. McAlpine only settled his cases against Davies and Bercow in October. At the time his solicitors said McAlpine and his family had been caused "immeasurable distress which cannot be rectified". The peer was also an art collector, property developer and author. Thatcher made him a life peer, Baron McAlpine of West Green in Hampshire, in 1984. He was also part of the McAlpine construction dynasty. Founded by his grandfather, Sir Robert, the firm is one of the biggest builders in the UK, responsible for the London 2012 Olympic stadium among many other projects, although in recent years it has been embroiled in the scandal of the secret blacklisting of more than 3,000 construction workers.
As well as a politician, the peer was an art collector, property developer and author. Thatcher made him a life peer, Baron McAlpine of West Green in Hampshire, in 1984. He was also part of the McAlpine construction dynasty.
Founded by his grandfather, Sir Robert, the firm is one of the biggest builders in the UK, responsible for the London 2012 Olympic stadium among many other projects, although in recent years it has been embroiled in the scandal of the secret blacklisting of over 3,000 construction workers.
The Conservative party chairman, Grant Shapps, said: "Lord McAlpine made a huge contribution to public life. He was a man of integrity who had a successful career in both politics and business. He was a towering figure during the Thatcher era who did much for the Conservative party and our country. My thoughts are with his friends and family."The Conservative party chairman, Grant Shapps, said: "Lord McAlpine made a huge contribution to public life. He was a man of integrity who had a successful career in both politics and business. He was a towering figure during the Thatcher era who did much for the Conservative party and our country. My thoughts are with his friends and family."
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