Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has paid a heartfelt tribute to his hero and friend Sir Ming Campbell who has died aged 84.

The former leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies ‘Ming’ Campbell died Friday, September 26, 2025.

Tim Farron said: “Ming Campbell was a hero of mine ever since I first became a Liberal Democrat activist back in my teens.

“He and Charles Kennedy led the opposition to the Iraq war – helping millions of people see that it wasn’t just peace that was at risk, but also the rule of law, with many future regimes, presidents, and prime ministers believing they could now get away with breaking international law.

“He was an inspiration to millions of people who, to this day, continue to believe that international law and human rights matter to all of us and are essential to our basic human liberties.

“Ming did the honour of appointing me his parliamentary private secretary when he became leader in 2006.

“It was a privilege to learn from him and become his friend- which is a wondrous thing to be able to call someone who was also a hero.

“Long after he stepped down as leader, he would often holiday here in the Lakes and would take a day out to lend a hand with our campaigns alongside his beloved wife Elspeth.

“I will miss him terribly and I’m praying for his family.”

Sir Ming Campbell was MP for North East Fife from 1987 to 2015 before becoming a life peer in the same year and Lord Campbell of Pittenweem.

Before becoming a politician he was a lawyer and athlete, famously breaking Wyndham Halswelle’s 53 year old Scottish 300 yard record in 1961 before competing at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games.

He held the British 100m record from 1967 to 1974 and also beat aspiring athlete OJ Simpson in 10.2 second race.