Brown pays tribute to Lord Pym

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The Prime Minister said the peer, who died aged 86 after a prolonged illness, was a "distinguished Parliamentarian".

Lord Pym was also a former Northern Ireland and Defence Secretary and a government chief whip during the Thatcher government.

He served as foreign secretary during the 1982 Falklands War after the resignation of Lord Carrington.

Ex-prime minister Sir John Major said Lord Pym had been his "neighbour, mentor and friend" when he started out in politics.

"Francis Pym leaves a political legacy of great achievement, and - for me personally - a legacy of lasting friendship," said Sir John.

Mr Brown said he was "saddened" to hear of the peer's death.

"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," the Premier said.

"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."

A Pym family spokesman said a private funeral will take place shortly and a memorial service will be held later in the spring.