Tributes paid to former Saffron Walden MP Lord Alan Haselhurst
He represented the area for 40 years in Parliament, after first being elected back in 1970
Tributes have been paid to former Conservative MP Lord Alan Haselhurst who died at the age of 88 on Tuesday.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described him as a “distinguished and respected parliamentarian”, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would be “deeply missed, particularly on the benches opposite”.
Lord Haselhurst served the constituency of Saffron Walden from 1977 to 2017, after first being elected to represent Middleton and Prestwich in 1970.
He also took the role of deputy speaker and chairman of ways and means in 1997, before being appointed to the House of Lords in 2018.
In the Commons, Sir Lindsay said: “He was a distinguished and respected parliamentarian, serving on numerous committees during his time in the House, as well as playing a leading role with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
“Friends will know Alan was mad about cricket along (with) my father, Doug, they were prominent and long-serving officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group on cricket, and I know Alan took his passion to the next level with his many novels about the sport.
“In 2018, he was appointed a life peer, served in the House of Lords until he retired at the end of 2024.
“I am sure members across the House will like to join me in sending our condolences to Lord Haselhurt’s wife, Lady Angela, his children, grandchildren, family, and friends, who are very much in our thoughts today.”
Opening Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir also paid tribute to Lord Haselhurst, saying: “I know he will be deeply missed, particularly on the benches opposite.”