Sir Jeremy Hanley, the former chairman of the Conservative Party, has died at the age of 80 after a short illness. His family confirmed his death on Friday, thanking staff at Torbay Hospital for their dedication and care.
A prominent figure in Conservative politics, Sir Jeremy served as party chairman for a year from July 1994 and held various ministerial positions under Sir John Major's government. He represented Richmond and Barnes as an MP for 14 years from 1983. After his seat was abolished, he failed to win Richmond Park in the 1997 general election.
He later failed to be selected by London Conservatives as a candidate for the 1999 European Parliamentary elections. Subsequently, he chaired Brain Games Network, an internet company for chess and drafts.
Sir Jeremy was the son of Railway Children actress Dinah Sheridan and actor Jimmy Hanley. His sister, Jenny Hanley, was a presenter on the 1970s children's show Magpie. He is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren.
