Former Home Secretary and Richmond MP Leon Brittan dies

The Conservative peer held the title of Baron Brittan of Spennithorne - the North Yorkshire village where he lived with his wife Diana.

The former barrister was MP for Cleveland and Whitby from 1974 to 1983. He then ran for the Richmond seat which he held until 1988. He was Home Secretary from 1983 to 1985.

In 1989, he left Westminister to become a European Commissioner and was appointed Vice-President of the European Commission in 1999.

His family said in a statement that Mr Brittan died last night at his London home after a long battle with cancer.

The statement added: "It is with great regret that we announced 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 Katherine and Victoria, and step-grandfather to their children.

AT HOME: Leon Brittan at his home in Spennithorne, near Leyburn.

AT HOME: Lord Brittan at his home in Spennithorne, near Leyburn

"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 business.

"Leon passed away last night at his home in London after a long battle with cancer. We shall miss him enormously. There will be a private funeral service for family only, and a memorial service to be announced."

Former Tory Chancellor Lord Lamont described the politician as "by far and away the most brilliant of his generation".

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

"He had been ill for quite some months and he was extremely braver and stoical during his illness."

William Hague, who succeeded Brittan as the MP for Richmond, paid tribute to him in the House of Commons.

He said: "Many of us who have known him a long time know he’s been ill for many months but it is a sad moment to receive this news. 

"The house will understand my predecessor as Member of Parliament for Richmond Yorkshire, which is why I particularly want to pay tribute to him as a former member of this House and former home secretary.

"He was a kind, assiduous and brilliant man. I know the whole House will join me in sending our deepest condolences to his wife Diana at this difficult time."

ROYAL APPOINTMENT: Police watch on as the Queen Mother meets Leon Brittan, the then Conservative MP for Richmond at Catterick Garrison in May 1985   

Last year, Lord Brittan came under scrutiny as part of the investigation into historical sexual abuse after it emerged that he had been handed a dossier on alleged high-profile paedophiles when he was Home Secertary in 1984. 

He was accused of failing to act on the evidence but he insisted that the proper procedures had been followed.

It also emerged last year that he was questioned in 1967 for the rape of a 19-year-old student, but no action was taken.