Francis Pym, doyen of the Tory wets, dies aged 86

He lost his fight against a long illness in the early hours, his family said.

Lord Pym held seven cabinet posts, including defence secretary in Margaret Thatcher's first government.

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He is best remembered for taking over at the Foreign Office in 1982, when Lord Carrington resigned following the Argentine invasion.

A year later, after a landslide poll victory, Mrs Thatcher axed him from her Cabinet in a cull of '"wets" in revolt over her economic policy.

On the eve of the election, Pym had expressed the hope that the Tories would not win by too large a majority.

Politicians last night paid tribute to a "distinguished parliamentarian", who was decorated for bravery in the Second World War.

David Cameron, leader of the Tories, said: "I was sad to hear of the death of Lord Pym.

"He served the country he loved with great courage in wartime and great distinction in peace.

"His was a life dedicated to public service."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "He was a distinguished parliamentarian, who served his country for more than 45 years in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords.

"He was a man of great decency and principle and everyone will remember him as a good man who always did what he thought was right for his country."

Baroness Thatcher was not immediately available for comment.

But Sir Bernard Ingham, her press secretary, said: "He had a wonderful speaking voice and a good parliamentary presence.

"On the Falklands, he was always much more inclined to reach a settlement rather than on winning the war."

Pym was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge, before seeing war service as a captain in the 9th Royal Lancers.

Twice mentioned in despatches, he fought at El Alamein in 1942 and won the Military Cross in 1945.

He saw himself as a One Nation Tory and, after his dismissal in 1983, set up a group to recapture the Conservative Party "for the traditional brand of Toryism".

Sir John Major said Lord Pym had been his "neighbour, mentor and friend".

The former PM added: "He served his country in an exemplary fashion, in war and peace, in the Commons and the Lords."

Lord Pym is survived by his wife, Valerie, and four children.