British politician and diplomat Paddy Ashdown dies

Lord Paddy Ashdown, a veteran MP and former Royal Marines officer, has died age 77 on 22 December after being treated for cancer, as reported on Reuters.

Ashdown led the Liberal Democrats for 11 years up to 1999, steering it to become a campaigning force in British politics against the Conservatives and the Labour Party.

The party said Ashdown died yesterday evening after a short illness. He had recently been hospitalised with bladder cancer.

It said he would be remembered as someone who made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism.

Speaking at MEMO’s Crisis in Saudi Arabia: War, Succession and the Future conference held in London, Ashdown was critical of Britain’s relationship with Saudi Arabia due to the war crimes committed in Yemen. During his keynote speech, Paddy said,

From a moral point of view Britain’s support of Saudi Arabia’s actions in Yemen is as foolish as it is reprehensible.

It is very clear that war crimes have been committed in the conflict in Yemen, both in relation to indiscriminate attacks on civilians and by using aid and starvation as a weapon of war. Britain’s silence on these matters is thunderous and shaming.

Tributes came in from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Theresa May said Ashdown served his country with distinction and former Conservative Prime Minister John Major called him a ‘true patriot’.

Watch the full speech here