Former Labour MP and defense minister, Sir Patrick Duffy, has passed away at the age of 105 after a brief illness. He died on January 2, making him the longest-serving former MP in the UK. Known as a living historical repository, Sir Patrick was noted for his vast knowledge and firsthand experiences, such as meeting former Prime Minister Clement Attlee.
Sir Duffy, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and received a papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II, survived a plane crash during World War II while serving in the Fleet Air Arm. He endured being stranded on a Scottish mountainside for 24 hours, facing near-death conditions before being rescued.
Having entered Parliament in 1950, Sir Patrick was elected as an MP in 1963 and served until his retirement in 1992. Notably, he was the sole MP to publicly criticize former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher following the death of Bobby Sands in 1981. Despite their differences, they later shared tea during his presidency of the Nato Assembly in the 1980s.
Described as an extraordinary individual with a lifetime of achievements, Sir Patrick leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and sharp recollection of events and personalities from a bygone era. His family and friends, spanning across generations, will fondly remember his impactful life and enduring legacy.