Former UK government minister who has died met Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Damascus and Hezbollah leaders in Beirut

The 13th Marquess of Lothian, who has died aged 79, was the first Catholic to become a Scottish Conservative MP; better known as Michael Ancram, he was also one of the architects of peace in Northern Ireland and went on to serve as party chairman under William Hague and deputy leader to Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard.

ANTI-TRIDENT Tory grandee Michael Ancram has died at the aged 79. A chequered political career took the 13th Marquis of Lothian and hereditary chief of clan Kerr from an eight-month stint as MP for the family pile in Berwickshire and East Lothian between the elections of 1974, on to Edinburgh South in 1979.

Former Edinburgh Tory MP Michael Ancram, who served as a Scottish Office minister and deputy leader of the UK Conservative party, has died, aged 79.

Tributes have been paid to the “stable voice” of former deputy leader of the Conservative Party Michael Ancram, who has died aged 79.Mr Ancram, known formally as the 13th Marquess of Lothian, held the role under Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard for five years in the early 2000s.

Michael Ancram, a leading aristocrat who became a Tory MP, senior government minister, party chairman, deputy leader and grandee, has died aged 79

Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr was one of the most approachable senior politicians in the Conservative Party.