By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2024-11-07 10:18:25 | Updated at 2024-11-07 12:50:08
2 hours ago
Sir John Nott, who served as defence secretary during the Falklands War under Margaret Thatcher's government, has died at the age of 92.
The senior Conservative played a crucial role in the 1982 conflict, overseeing Britain's military response to Argentina's invasion of the South Atlantic islands.
He held two key positions in Thatcher's Cabinet, serving first as trade secretary until 1981 before taking on the role of defence secretary until 1983.
His tenure during the Falklands War marked one of the most significant periods in recent British military history.
Nott twice offered his resignation to Margaret Thatcher following Argentina's invasion of the Falklands in 1982.
The Prime Minister refused to accept his resignations, choosing instead to keep him in post throughout the military campaign.
Her decision proved crucial as Nott went on to oversee the successful liberation operation of the islands.
Despite the intense pressure of the conflict, he remained steadfast in his role, demonstrating unwavering commitment to his position during one of Britain's most challenging military operations.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came during a heated TV interview with broadcaster Sir Robin Day in 1982.
The exchange became infamous when Day questioned why people should trust a "transient, here today and, if I may say so, gone tomorrow politician" over Royal Navy chiefs on defence spending.
Sir John Nott's tenure during the Falklands War marked one of the most significant periods in recent British military history
PA
Day reacted by removing his microphone in visible frustration, stating: "I'm sorry. I'm fed up with this interview. Really, it's ridiculous."
The dramatic walkout was captured for posterity after a PA news agency reporter quickly filed the story, preventing any potential attempts to suppress the footage.
Nott was educated at Kings Mead School in Seaford, followed by Bradfield College and Trinity College Cambridge.
Before his political career, he served as a lieutenant with the 2nd Gurkha Rifles during the Malayan emergency from 1952 to 1956.
He then attended Cambridge, where he studied law and economics, rising to become president of the Cambridge Union.
His political journey began in 1966 when he was elected as MP for St Ives, a position that would eventually lead to his prominent role in Thatcher's Cabinet.
His daughter, writer Sasha Swire, wife of Tory peer Lord Swire, paid tribute to her father, saying: "RIP my beloved father, John Nott, protector, politician, farmer, me."
Nott leaves behind a creative legacy through his son Julian, who composed the theme music for the globally successful children's TV show Peppa Pig.
He is also survived by his son William, who pursued a career in the oil industry.
His family's achievements span politics, literature, and the arts, reflecting the diverse talents and contributions of the Nott family to British public life.
