Former Liberal Democrat leader and veteran parliamentarian Sir Menzies Campbell has died at the age of 84. Known to many as “Ming,” he served as the MP for North East Fife for nearly three decades and briefly led the Liberal Democrats between 2006 and 2007.
Before entering politics, Sir Menzies was a celebrated athlete.
He held the UK 100m sprint record from 1967 to 1974, represented Britain at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and earned the nickname “The Flying Scotsman.”
His athletics career included captaining the British men’s team at the 1966 Commonwealth Games and setting a 100m record of 10.2 seconds in 1967, defeating a young OJ Simpson.
Sir Menzies passed away peacefully in London after a period of respite care, with his grandson by his side. His family shared that in one of his final days, he enjoyed watching the Liberal Democrats Party Conference and receiving video messages from political friends.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey hailed him as “a dedicated public servant and a true Liberal giant,” noting: “His principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom. But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague. We will miss him terribly.”
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney described him as one of the country’s most “well-liked political figures,” adding: “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.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton remembered him as a mentor and inspiration.
“The first political thing I ever did was to deliver leaflets for Ming on the morning of his first election to Parliament in 1987. He was my MP, he was my mentor and he was my friend. From the Olympic track to the benches of Westminster, his contribution to public life will long be remembered.”
Wendy Chamberlain, current MP for North East Fife, highlighted his lasting presence in the region.
She said: “His contributions to our communities, to the University of St Andrews, as well as to Scotland and the UK were immeasurable. 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.”
Born Walter Menzies Campbell in Glasgow in May 1941, he grew up in a tenement before studying law at the University of Glasgow alongside future leaders John Smith and Donald Dewar.
He later studied at Stanford University during the Vietnam War, became an advocate, and was called to the Scottish bar in 1968. He was made a QC in 1982.
Sir Menzies first ran for Parliament in 1976 but won his seat in 1987 after several attempts.
He established himself as the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, a role he held for 14 years, where his strong opposition to the Iraq War cemented his reputation as a respected and informed voice on international issues.
In 2015, he entered the House of Lords as Baron Campbell of Pittenweem. His career in public service spanned law, sport, and politics, but those close to him recall his greatest strengths as wisdom, courtesy, and integrity.
He was married to Elspeth for more than 50 years until her passing in 2023, often describing her as his “constant political companion” and “first line of defence.” The pair were known as one of Westminster’s most respected couples.
Though his time as party leader was brief and marked by ageist caricatures, his impact on politics stretched far beyond that role. For many, his life represented dedication to service, deep knowledge of foreign affairs, and an enduring sense of decency in public life.