Lord Mayhew, key figure in Northern Ireland peace process, dies aged 86

Updated

Former Conservative Cabinet minister Lord Mayhew, who served as attorney general and Northern Ireland secretary during critical moments for both posts, has died at the age of 86, his family said today.

In a statement, his family said he died peacefully at his home in Kent on Saturday, adding: "He had lived with cancer and Parkinson's for several years. He worked hard for peace in Northern Ireland."

Lord (Patrick) Mayhew of Twysden was a key figure in the December 1993 Downing Street Declaration, formulated by then prime minister John Major and then Irish taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, which led to the IRA ceasefire the following September.

As solicitor-general in January 1986 he was a key player in the Westland crisis which briefly threatened to endanger the position of then prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

Lord Mayhew was seen as more at home on the liberal wing of the Tory party.

He is survived by his wife Jean Mayhew, their four sons and their families.

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