Tributes after death of former Cabinet minister
Gordon Brown has paid tribute to Lord Eric Varley, the former Cabinet minister who died yesterday aged 75.
Lord Varley was energy secretary in 1974 and 1975 and served as industry secretary from 1975 to 1979.
He had quickly risen up the ranks after serving as parliamentary private secretary to Harold Wilson, then prime minister, in 1968.
A life peerage as Baron Valey was awarded in 1990, six years after retiring from his 20-year stint as MP for Chesterfield. He was replaced in the constituency by Tony Benn.
Mr Brown’s spokesperson said: “The prime minister was sad to hear the news of Lord Varley’s death and his thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.
“He will be remembered as a highly respected politician who spent his life in parliament and government working for the interests of the mining industry and other hard-working communities throughout Britain.”
