A LIBERAL Democrat councillor in Salisbury said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the passing of the former Lib Dem leader, Lord Menzies Campbell.

Councillor Paul Sample, cabinet member for environment, waste and climate change at Wiltshire Council, described Campbell as a “statesman of integrity, wisdom, and kindness.”

The former Lib Dem leader, known as Ming, died at the age of 84 on September 26 and is remembered partly for his leadership in opposing the Iraq War.

Cllr Sample said he had the privilege of meeting him many times, often when Campbell would come to the Salisbury area to meet with Lib Dem members and voters.

“I was fortunate to spend time with him in 1990, when he and his wife Elspeth were invited by Jane and Paddy Ashdown to spend a weekend at their home in Stoke Sub Hamdon,” cllr Sample said.

“I had the privilege of collecting Menzies at Podimore Services and accompanying him through a busy day of Liberal Democrat engagements in Salisbury constituency.

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“Together we attended a coffee morning in Tisbury, a buffet lunch in a member’s home in Rectory Road, Salisbury, the reopening of the Liberal Club in Salt Lane, Salisbury, and a discussion with trade unionists from Boscombe Down at the Stonehenge Inn in Durrington, before returning with him to Stoke Sub Hamdon.

“As a young Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate at the time, I found Menzies – and Paddy – truly inspirational.

“Ming’s generosity with his time and his encouragement left a deep and lasting impression on me.

“Sir Menzies Campbell will be remembered not only as a distinguished leader of the Liberal Democrats and a powerful voice in British politics, but also as a man of great decency and warmth. I am deeply grateful to have known him.“

Leader of the Lib Dems, Ed Davey said he benefitted greatly from Campbell’s advice and guidance over the years.

“But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague, with such generosity and humour,” he said.

“Ming was always great company – whether talking about sport with the authority of a captain of Britain’s athletics team and a British 100m record-holder, or asking about you and your family, when he would always pass on kind thoughts from his wife, Elspeth – his rock.

“All of us in the Liberal Democrat family and beyond will miss him terribly.”