Lord Roper dead: Liberal Democrat peer dies aged 80 after long battle with illness
LIBERAL Democrat Lord Roper has died aged 80 following a long battle with illness, the party has announced.
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Roper (not pictured) has died aged 80
The peer, who retired from the House of Lords in May 2015, was the Lib Dem chief whip in the Upper Chamber from 2001 to 2005.
He was MP for Farnworth, Lancashire from 1970 to 1983, representing Labour and then the breakaway Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Lord Roper was Labour's spokesman on defence from 1979 to 1981 and SDP chief whip from 1981 to 1983.
John was a great servant to social democracy
Dick Newby, his successor as the Lib Dem chief whip in the Lords, paid tribute to Lord Roper.
He said: "John was, throughout his life, a great servant to social democracy and liberal politics in Britain.
"He was a passionate believer in the European project.
"He always fought for the idea that Britain's best interest was working together with our friends across Europe to build a better future for us all.
Dick Newby said he was a 'passionate believer' in the EU
He added: "John served as chief whip in both the Commons and the Lords and proved to be a natural in the role.
"He was a great mentor of mine, a fine European and a widely respected chief whip. He will be deeply missed."
His death comes a month after the passing of Lib Dem Lord Ezra, the oldest sitting peer in the House of Lords.