Latest news with #Lipsey
Powys County Times
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Tributes to Lord David Lipsey, whose 'heart was in Powys'
LORD David Lispey will be remembered as being a gifted Labour Party politician, a Member of the House of Lords and a friend of 10 Downing Street. But in Powys his legacy will also have him down as an animal lover. The 77-year-old adored harness racing and greyhound racing and had a passion for getting dogs rehomed rather than put down at the end of their careers. A journalist who wrote for publications including the Sunday Times, Sunday Correspondent, The Times, The Guardian and The Economist, he also championed the arts and was a staunch defender of the River Wye, near his Powys home, in which he died this week. I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lord David Lipsey—a former colleague, good friend and a truly remarkable man. He was widely respected, greatly admired and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time. — Eluned Morgan (@PrifWeinidog) July 3, 2025 James Gibson-Watt, a member of Powys County Council's (PCC) cabinet and former leader, who represents the Glasbury ward, said: 'Lord David Lipsey was very well-respected in the local area, across Wales and the UK and of course at Westminster. 'He was always very courteous and kind to everyone, always very interesting to talk to and a very good supporter of local events and causes." Lord Lipsey was a long-time campaigner for water quality in the River Wye and his last spoken contribution in the House of Lords was on the subject. In October 2024, in a speech delivered during the second reading of the Water Special Measures Bill aimed at improving water quality in the UK, he told the Lords: 'Something like 80 per cent of the pollution in the Wye is caused by chicken s**t.' Lord Lipsey had lived in the Wye Valley with his wife Margaret for the last 30 years and would swim in the river at Glasbury 'most mornings in summer, some mornings in winter'. Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords — Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024 'We still do this, but it is a deteriorating experience,' he said. 'Part of the river near us was closed this summer to wild swimmers such as us, on the grounds of pollution. 'It is not the Wye that we moved next to 30 years ago. This beautiful river is being turned into a sewage dump.' He chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board, now the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), from 2004-08. GBGB CEO Mark Bird said: 'He was a fantastic champion for greyhound racing and did a great deal to raise welfare standards across the sport – particularly around the homing of retired greyhounds. 'As a resilient friend to the greyhound racing community, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time.' William Powell, chair of PCC and county councillor for nearby Talgarth, knew Lord Lipsey well and said: 'I am devastated to hear this news. 'David was a great advocate for Talgarth and the Black Mountains, for Gwernyfed High School, Black Mountains College and Glasbury Arts, alongside many other good causes. 'Just this past weekend, he presented the awards at the Grow for Talgarth 'Big Gardening Weekend' and he and Lady Margaret always supported Talgarth Festival of the Black Mountains and Talgarth and District Regeneration Group, with their presence. 'David and Margaret made their home here over many decades and are much loved. We will not see David's like again.' Lucy Trench, chair of the Sidney Nolan Trust in Presteigne, said Lord Lipsey served as chair between 2013-18, was a former trustee and was still listed as the arts charity's president upon his death. Straight-talking Lord Lipsey identifies main culprit for pollution in River Wye @UKHouseofLords — Nick Lester (@nickolester) October 9, 2024 'The trust is the legacy of the celebrated Australian artist Sir Sidney Nolan and David had a deep love of music and other arts,' she said. 'He was decisive and insightful, brusque but never arrogant, full of affection and wit; someone who bypassed formalities to get straight to the nub of a matter. 'All who met him, from small children to his many acquaintances in the racing world, were struck by his warm and unconventional personality. 'As a peer he naturally spent much time in London, but his heart was in the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons, where he worked equally hard to support local activities, including the Glasbury Arts Festival. 'At the Sidney Nolan Trust, as in the many other areas of his wide and varied life, David will be greatly missed as a colleague and friend.'
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Labour peer Lord David Lipsey found dead after police discover body in river
Officers confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Labour Peer Lord David Lipsey has been found dead after swimming in the River Wye, cops have said. Police were called to the River Wye in Glasbury on June 30 following reports of concern for a person last seen in the water. Dyfed Powys Police has now confirmed the body of Lord Lipsey was pulled from the river on July 1 following a huge multi-agency rescue mission. Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, entered the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases "New Labour" and "winter of discontent". A police spokesperson told the Mirror: "Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. "Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. "His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. "They have asked for their privacy to be respected." The Lord Speaker said the upper chamber extended its " condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends". Lord Lipsey, who was a fan of greyhound and harness racing, chaired the British Greyhound Racing Board and the British Harness Racing Club for a number of years. The British Horseracing Authority said: "Lord Lipsey was a staunch supporter of British horseracing and formerly an APPG member. Our condolences to his family at this incredibly sad time." Premier Greyhound Racing said it was "deeply saddened at the passing of Lord David Lipsey". In a statement, they said: "We were very luck to have David as Chair of Premier Greyhound Racing from our inception until his retirement this year. "Throughout this time, we benefitted from his wisdom and guidance which he delivered with dedication, professionalism and no little humour." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
North Wales Live
03-07-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Member of House of Lords found dead in Welsh river
A Labour peer and former adviser to Downing Street has been found dead in a Welsh river. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed Labour peer Lord David Lipsey died while swimming in the River Wye in Glasbury, Powys. In a statement the force said: 'Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. 'His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. They have asked for their privacy to be respected.' Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, enter the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases 'New Labour' and 'winter of discontent'. The Lord Speaker said the upper chamber extended its 'condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends'.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Member of House of Lords' body pulled from river after he was seen swimming in water
The peer had served in the Lords since 1999 RIVER TRAGEDY Member of House of Lords' body pulled from river after he was seen swimming in water THE body of a member of the House of Lords has been recovered from a river after he was last seen swimming in the water. Police had received a report for concern of the safety of a man last seen in the River Wye in Glasbury, Wales, on Monday. Advertisement 3 The body of Lord David Lipsey has been recovered by police from the River Wye in Wales Credit: PA 3 The peer had last seen been swimming in the water on Monday (file photo) Credit: Getty An extensive search was then launched, eventually resulting in a body being recovered from the river on Tuesday. This body has now been identified as that of Lord David Lipsey, Dyfed Powys Police said. Lord Lipsey previously worked as a journalist and as a Downing Street adviser under Labour prime minister James Callaghan in the late 1970s. He then entered the House of Lords in 1999, created a Life peer as Baron Lipsey of Tooting Bec in London. Advertisement While in the Lords, he sat on the Labour benches. Tributes have poured in for the veteran peer, with the Lord Speaker saying the upper chamber extended its "condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends". Premier Greyhound Racing released an emotional statement for Lord Lipsey, highlighting his commitment to the sport. It wrote: "David had a great love for the greyhound, and for greyhound racing as a whole. Advertisement "This love started when he first went racing and then continued and developed as he took home his first greyhound. "His enthusiasm for all things greyhound racing was infectious and he commanded great respect throughout his career in the sport." David served as Chair of Premier Greyhound Racing from its inception before retiring this year. The company also paid tribute to his "wisdom and guidance which he delivered with dedication, professionalism and no little humour." Advertisement More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. 3 He had served in the House of Lords since 1999 Credit: Getty
Wales Online
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Member of House of Lords found dead in Welsh river
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Labour peer and former adviser to Downing Street has been found dead in a Welsh river. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed Labour peer Lord David Lipsey died while swimming in the River Wye in Glasbury, Powys. In a statement the force said: 'Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the safety of a man who was last seen swimming in the River Wye, Glasbury. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'Following a multi-agency search on July 1, sadly, we can confirm the body of Lord David Lipsey was recovered. 'His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. They have asked for their privacy to be respected.' Lord Lipsey, who previously worked as a journalist and Downing Street adviser under then prime minister Jim Callaghan, enter the Lords in 1999. He is also credited with coining the phrases 'New Labour' and 'winter of discontent'. The Lord Speaker said the upper chamber extended its 'condolences to the noble Lord's family and friends'. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
