Tributes are being paid following the death of Sir Patrick Duffy, a former Labour defence minister and the longest-living former Member of Parliament in the UK, at the age of 105. Sir Patrick passed away on January 2 after a short illness, leaving behind a legacy spanning a century of British political and military history.
A Century of Service and Survival
Sir Patrick Duffy's life was one of extraordinary service and resilience. During the Second World War, he served in the Fleet Air Arm and survived a harrowing plane crash in the Orkney Islands. Family friend Kevin Meagher recounted the ordeal: "He lay in the fuselage of his aircraft for 24 hours on a Scottish mountainside literally freezing to death, until he was discovered." So severe were his injuries that medics had to stab a morphine needle into his frozen arm. He was given the last rites, not expected to live.
His political career began with a parliamentary run in 1950. He was first elected as an MP in 1963, winning the Colne Valley by-election. He later represented Sheffield Attercliffe from 1970 until his retirement in 1992. In the late 1970s, he served as parliamentary under-secretary for the Royal Navy in James Callaghan's Labour government.
A 'Living Historical Jukebox' of British Politics
Kevin Meagher, who helped write Sir Patrick's second book when he was 103, described him as "a kind of living historical jukebox." His sharp recall provided a direct link to political giants of the past, from Clement Attlee onwards. Sir Patrick was known for his principled stands, including being the only MP to berate former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the Commons in 1981 over the death of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands. Despite this clash, the two later shared tea during his tenure as president of the NATO Assembly in the 1980s.
His honours were unique, reflecting both state and faith: he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and also received a papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II.
A Legacy of Principle and Kindness
A statement approved by Sir Patrick's family, written by Mr Meagher, celebrated an "extraordinary man with a lifetime of accomplishments." It highlighted his kindness, humour, and incredible acuity in recalling events from a century ago. "Patrick's was a life well-lived, brimming with achievement, the admiration of colleagues and the love and affection of his many family and friends," the statement read. "He will be greatly missed."
The passing of Sir Patrick Duffy marks the end of an era, closing the chapter on a life that witnessed and shaped pivotal moments in 20th-century Britain, from the battlefields of WWII to the despatch box in Westminster.
