Former Conservative chancellor Nigel Lawson has died at the age of 91.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the party grandee “was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others” as he paid tribute on Twitter.

Lord Lawson was a Conservative MP representing the constituency of Blaby from 1974 to 1992, and served in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet from 1981 to 1989.

Best known for his role as chancellor, he retired from the House of Lords in December, ending a parliamentary career stretching back nearly five decades.

Lord Lawson had six children including celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and journalist Dominic Lawson.

Tributes from the world of politics began pouring in following his death.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson said Lord Lawson was “a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism”.

Nigel Lawson dies: The life of Thatcher’s chancellor, from political clashes to the Big Boom and climate scepticism

Downing Street admits post-Brexit checks played role in Dover traffic chaos

‘Political correctness’ will not stop crackdown on ‘vile’ grooming gangs, says Sunak

“He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams,” he added.

“He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly called him “a true statesman”, adding: “His contributions to this nation will not be forgotten.”

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said Lord Lawson was “a giant who changed the political weather, a lodestar for Conservatives, and a kind man always generous with his wisdom”.

Tory Party chairman Greg Hands said he will be remembered “for his clarity of thinking, commitment to free market economics and willingness to challenge orthodoxies”.

Born in Hampstead, northwest London, on 11 March 1932, the son of the owner of a tea-trading firm climbed his way to the top of British politics after an education at Westminster School and Oxford University.

His political life started at Oxford, where he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics – but he began his working life carrying out national service as a Royal Navy officer.

Lord Lawson, as he was to become, then became a financial journalist for 14 years before entering politics at the age of 42.

He served a number of positions in Mrs Thatcher’s government before she appointed him as chancellor – a position that ensured he would go down in the history books.

Related posts:

Care home visits could resume within weeks as lockdown is eased, minister suggests Johnson expected to call on EU leaders to veto COVID vaccine export blocks Starmer’s spin doctor quits after Labour’s latest by-election blow ‘It must work in a different way’: UK to set out proposals for NI Protocol on Wednesday Housing shortage will make it hard to accommodate Afghans, government warned Have the last few wobbly weeks seen a turning point for Johnson as PM? PM has ‘polluted our democracy’ with ‘corruption’ – Labour Brussels hands UK two month court ultimatum after ‘illegal’ Northern Ireland protocol move Tory leadership rivals in fiery exchanges during second live TV debate Hancock returns to Westminster after jungle stint as diaries reveal COVID row over prisoners Claims of oral sex and choking lessons prompt govt review critic says is ‘politically motivated’ Anti-strikes law would ‘strip workers of unfair dismissal protections’, watchdog warns