The Rt Hon Lord Campbell of Pittenweem CH CBE KC FRSE

The University of St Andrews is mourning the loss of its Chancellor, The Right Honourable Lord Campbell of Pittenweem CH CBE KC FRSE, who has died in London at the age of 84.

Menzies Campbell, simply “Ming” to the thousands who knew him, was one of the great political figures of the modern era and a constant friend and champion of Scotland’s first university.

Born in Glasgow in 1941, Menzies Campbell (Ming) was educated at Hillhead High School and the University of Glasgow, graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in 1962 and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in 1965. He was elected President of the Glasgow University Liberal Club in 1962 and of the Glasgow University Union from 1964 to 1965.

He went on to study international law at Stanford University, California, before being called to the Bar in Scotland in 1968, and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1984.

Ming’s wife Elspeth, Lady Campbell, encouraged him to enter politics and run for Parliament. She was his parliamentary secretary for many years when he was the MP for North-East Fife. He served this constituency from 1987 to 2015, securing the seat in six General Elections.

Elspeth and Ming were married for over 50 years. Following her death in June 2023, he described her as “my constant political companion, always my encouragement, and forever my first line of defence.”

Lady Campbell was the daughter of the war hero Major General Roy Urquhart.

Ming was a stout defender of his constituency interests including fishing, farming, the University and RAF Leuchars.  He held regular advice surgeries which were very popular with constituents who sought his political – and occasionally legal – advice.  A striking figure when campaigning he was often known to run between the doors when canvassing.

One of Ming’s greatest interests was international affairs and defence and he served as Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson between 1992 and 2006 and led the party’s response to the Iraq War in the House of Commons. In 2003 he became Deputy Leader of the party, before leading the party from early 2006 to October 2007.

Ming received a CBE in 1987, was appointed to the Privy Council in 1999, and was knighted in 2004 for his services to Parliament, conferred by the then Prince of Wales. He became a Companion of Honour in the 2013 Birthday Honours for public and political service and became a life peer and member of the House of Lords in October 2015.

Outside of domestic politics, Ming became a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in 1990 and headed the United Kingdom delegation to the Assembly from 2010 to 2015.

He served as Chairperson of its Political Committee, an alternate member of the Assembly’s Defence and Security Committee and chaired its Sub-Committee on Transatlantic Security and Defence Cooperation from 2016 to 2018.

As if all of these achievements were not enough, Ming also briefly had an earlier career as an athlete, holding the British record for the 100-metre sprint between 1967 and 1974. He captained the Great Britain athletic team in 1965 and 1966 having represented the country at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Ming became Chancellor of the University of St Andrews in 2006, succeeding Sir Kenneth Dover. He was installed on 22 April and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the same ceremony.

Ming was a familiar face on campus, capping many new graduates when he was able to preside over our graduation ceremonies.

He dedicated his time and expertise to the University with great generosity and regularly represented the University dutifully at home and abroad. Ming gave the University’s Loyal Address to His Majesty King Charles III in March 2023, a once-in-a-generation responsibility as one of 27 Privileged Bodies in the United Kingdom.

Ming had an unfailing ability to put everyone at ease, from politicians and constituents to students and staff, and a gift of never forgetting a face or name. His reassuring presence, warmth, and wit will be much missed across the University.

The University flags will fly at half-mast as a mark of the respect with which Lord Campbell was held by this community.

Ming passed away in London after a period of respite care, before planning to return to Scotland, at the care facility Kyn Hurlingham. He died peacefully in the presence of his grandson, Gregor.

His family would like to thank his care facility, Kyn Hurlingham, for their exceptional care and attention over the last few months.