Former Labour Party MP and defense minister, Sir Patrick Duffy, has passed away at the age of 105 after a brief illness. He was the longest-living former MP in the UK. Known as a walking encyclopedia of history, Sir Patrick was described by family friend Kevin Meagher as someone who could vividly recount past encounters, such as meeting former Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
Sir Duffy, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and also received a papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II, survived a plane crash during World War II while serving in the Fleet Air Arm. Recalling the incident, Meagher mentioned how Sir Patrick endured extreme conditions, lying in the fuselage of his aircraft for 24 hours on a Scottish mountainside before being rescued.
Having entered Parliament in 1963 following a by-election victory, Sir Patrick served as an MP until his retirement in 1992, representing different constituencies over the years. Notably, he held the position of parliamentary under-secretary for the Royal Navy during James Callaghan’s Labour government.
Despite facing criticism for confronting former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over a sensitive issue in 1981, Sir Patrick later shared tea with her during his tenure as president of the Nato Assembly in the 1980s. Described as an extraordinary man with a remarkable memory for past events and individuals, Sir Patrick’s legacy is celebrated by family, friends, and colleagues across generations.
In a statement penned by Meagher and endorsed by Sir Patrick’s family, he was hailed as a man of great achievements and warmth, whose life was marked by success, respect from peers, and affection from loved ones. Sir Patrick’s passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt by all who knew him.