Leon Brittain: ‘He helped Margaret Thatcher change this country for the better’

TRIBUTES flooded in yesterday for “brilliant” former Home Secretary Leon Brittan who has aged 75 after battling cancer.

Leon Brittan has died aged 75PA/EXPRESS

Former Home Secretary Leon Brittan died after a long battle with cancer

Described as a ­“dedicated and fiercely intelligent public servant”, David Cameron hailed the Conservative peer for his “distinguished ­service” in Margaret Thatcher’s ­government during the Eighties.

Fellow senior politicians, including former Tory Chancellor Norman ­Lamont and ex-Conservative leader William Hague hailed him as a ­“brilliant” man.

Lord Brittan was a senior member of Mrs Thatcher’s Cabinet until forced to resign over the Westland helicopter affair in 1986. He later spent a decade in ­Brussels as one of the UK’s European Commissioners.

But he had been recently mired in the historic child sex abuse scandal over allegations that he failed to act on evidence of abuse by senior figures in Westminster.

Announcing his death from cancer, his family said in a statement: “It is with great regret that we announce the death of Leon Brittan.

“As a family, we should like to pay tribute to him as a beloved husband to Diana and brother to Samuel, and a supportive and loving stepfather to Katharine and Victoria, and step-grandfather to their children.

“We also salute his extraordinary commitment to British public life as a Member of Parliament, Minister, ­Cabinet Minister, European Commissioner and peer – together with a distinguished career in law and, latterly, in business.”

He was a kind, assiduous and brilliant man

William Hague

It is believed the Jewish peer passed away in his sleep at home in London on Wednesday night after a long battle with the disease.

Mr Cameron said in statement: “Leon Brittan was a dedicated and fiercely intelligent public servant.

“As a central figure in Margaret Thatcher’s government, he helped her transform our country for the better by giving distinguished service as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Home Secretary and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

“He went on to play a leading role at the European Commission where he did so much to promote free trade in Europe and across the world.

"More recently, he made an active contribution to the House of Lords.

"My thoughts are with Leon’s family and friends at this sad time for them.”

William Hague, who succeeded ­Brittan as MP for the North Yorkshire seat of Richmond, paid tribute in the House of Commons.

He said: “He was a kind, assiduous and brilliant man.

Lord Brittan during his role as European CommissionerGETTY

Lord Brittan during his role as European Commissioner

"I know the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences to his wife Diana at this difficult time.”

Former Tory Chancellor Lord ­Lamont, speaking to Sky News, added: “He was by far and away the most brilliant of his generation.

"He was not just a clever man, he was a kind man and I am very sad to hear of his death.”

Lord Heseltine said his former cabinet colleague was “a man of considerable integrity” with whom he had remained good friends despite their respective roles in the Westland affair.

Lord Brittan resigned as Trade and Industry Secretary after it was revealed he authorised the leaking of a letter ­critical of then Defence Secretary Heseltine, who had stormed out of the cabinet a fortnight before.

Labour leader Ed Miliband described his death as “sad news”.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who worked for Lord Brittan in Brussels, said: “Leon was one of the most intelligent figures in modern British public life.”

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