Ex-Tory Chancellor Nigel Lawson who served in Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet in the 1980s dies aged 91 

Former Conservative Chancellor Nigel Lawson, who served in Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet in the 1980s, has died at age 91.

Tributes honouring the ‘fearless’ Tory MP and leading Brexiteer have flooded in tonight, following news of his death.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson described him as a ‘giant’ of Tory politics while Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called Lord Lawson a ‘true statesman’. 

Lord Lawson served in Margaret Thatcher’s government and sat in the House of Lords until his retirement in December. 

He was also a father to six, including TV chef Nigella Lawson, 63, and journalist Dominic Lawson, 66.

Lord Lawson was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in June 1983 and served in the role until his resignation in October 1989.

Before entering the Cabinet, Lord Lawson served as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Secretary of State for Energy.

Lord Lawson served as a backbencher from 1989 until his retirement in 2022. He sat in the House of Lords during the same time period. 

He also founded the Global Warming Policy Foundation, which lobbied against climate change policies, and was an active supporter of Vote Leave, which campaigned for the UK to leave the European Union.

Following news of his death, tributes began flooding in for the former Chancellor.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson, Tory chairman Greg Hands and ex-chancellor Sajid Javid were among those marking his death. 

Mr Johnson said: ‘Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams. 

‘He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.’ 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on Twitter: ‘Sad news that Nigel Lawson has died.

‘A true statesman. His contributions to this nation will not be forgotten.’

Sajid Javid tweeted: ‘Very saddened to hear this.

‘One of Britain’s greatest public servants, especially as Chancellor. Thinking of his family. May he RIP.’

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said Nigel Lawson was a ‘giant who changed the political weather’.

He tweeted: ‘Saddened to learn of the passing of Nigel Lawson.

‘He was a giant who changed the political weather, a lodestar for Conservatives, and a kind man always generous with his wisdom.

‘My thoughts and prayers are with his family.’

Check back for updates.