In The News

Tributes are paid to former Ulster Unionist leader James Molyneaux

Tributes are paid to former Ulster Unionist leader James Molyneaux

TRIBUTES have been paid to former Ulster Unionist Party leader Jim Molyneaux, who has passed away at the age of 94.

After joining the party in 1946, Mr. Molyneaux went on to become one of its longest-serving leaders after taking over the top job from Harry West in 1979.

His time as leader took in some of the worst years of the Troubles as well as some of the most turbulent politically for his party as it faced increasing challenges from the D.U.P. under the then leadership of Ian Paisley.

Mr. Molyneaux had been MP for South Antrim from 1970 until 1983 when he became the representative for Lagan Valley, a seat he held until his retirement in 1997.

He never married, but devoted his life to politics as well as to the loyal orders, including the Orange Order and Royal Black Institution. He held senior positions in the organisations.

During the Second World War, Mr. Molyneaux served in the R.A.F. He was among the first British Servicemen to enter newly liberated Belsen concentration camp in Germany. It was an experience which was to have a profound effect on the young serviceman.

Years later, Mr. Molyneaux returned to Belsen for a BBC documentary. He recalled the horrors he had witnessed: “The sense of shock hit you like a tidal wave. Every step brought further horror. It was the work of the devil”.

Regarded as being quiet and determined, Mr. Molyneaux maintained that his life’s work was to protect Northern Ireland’s position with the U.K. He played a key role in persuading the then Labour Government to give Northern Ireland more MPs during the 1970s.

But when the Anglo-Irish Agreement was signed in 1985, he campaigned against it, forming a political pact with Dr. Paisley under the UIster Says No banner.

His time as leader came to an end in 1995 when he stepped down a month after surviving a leadership challenge. He was succeeded by David Trimble.

He was Knighted in 1996, before being granted a life peerage the following year, becoming Lord Molyneaux of Killead.

The many tributes were led by current Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt who said: “He brought a stability to the unionist party at a time when it was much needed. Times were fraught, not just in terms of the exceptional level of barbaric terrorism that was being imposed upon the people of Northern Ireland, but also a very difficult political situation.”

Jim Molyneaux was sometimes viewed as being somewhat austere, but in private he could display a warm personality as well as a good sense of humour. He once recalled how a constituent had telephoned him in the middle of the night.

The man told Mr. Molyneaux he had voted for him at the previous election and needed his help. The caller apologised for the early call, but Mr. Molyneaux said not to worry as the problem was obviously so large that it had necessitated him calling so early. “It’s no problem to me”, replied the man, “I work nights as a security guard”.

When asked what he had said to his constituent, Mr. Molyneaux replied, “Well, I don’t think I got his vote at the next election”.

Funeral Private

Lord Molyneaux’s Funeral will be private in keeping with his wishes. View the death notice for Lord Molyneaux on Passedaway.com.

View previous In the News items More people are urged to back organ donation, More people are urged to back organ donation, More people are urged to make funeral plans, Campaign for memorial to forgotten footballer, Oldest person in UK passes away, Sixties pop star Dozy passes away, Actor and singer Lance Percival passes away, Tributes are paid to war veteran Bernard Jordan, Paisley family reveal how rosebud brought them much pleasure, MP warns of problems caused by funeral poverty, Funeral to take place of cancer campaigner Una Crudden, Actress Joanna Dunham passes away, Funeral takes place of rugby legend Jack Kyle, Tributes are paid to crime writer P D James, Join the donor register and help save lives, Funeral takes place of Brendan Megraw, Guitarist Manitas de Plata passes away, Family funeral planned for Brendan Megraw, Tributes are paid to American poet Galway Kinnell, Actress Marcia Strassman passes away, Tributes have been paid to the singer Alvin Stardust, Renowned newspaper editor Ben Bradlee passes away, Former Australian PM Gough Whitlam passes away , Tributes are paid to actress Lynda Bellingham, Hundreds attend Memorial Service for Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to actress Marian Seldes, Cancer remains top cause of death, Country singer George Hamilton IV passes away, Songwriter Bob Crewe passes away, Funeral takes place of Ian Paisley, Tributes are paid to Lord Attenborough, Albert Reynolds is given State Funeral, Tributes are paid to broadcaster Gerry Anderson, Tributes are paid to veteran actor JJ Murphy, Tribute are paid to former DJ Mike Smith, Funeral takes place of Churchwoman Lynda Patterson, Supermarket founder Karl Albrecht passes away, Actor James Garner passes away, Tributes are paid to Elaine Stritch, Tributes are paid to Presbyterian minister, Punk rocker Tommy Ramone passes away, Footballing legent Alfredo Di Stefano passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz musician Paul Horn, Tributes are paid to soul legend Bobby Womack, MBE for inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton, Actress and activist Ruby Dee passes away, Author Eric Hill passes away, Tributes are paid to Rik Mayall, Funeral takes place of Sir John Gorman, Former film star Mona Freeman passes away, Actress Ann B Davis passes away, Judges rule on remains of King Richard III, Smithfield legend Joe Kavanagh passes away, Singer Jerry Vale passes away, Comedian Eli Woods passes away, Shankill pays tribute to Hugh Smyth, Inspirational teenager Stephen Sutton passes away, Colourful funeral for brave Oscar Knox, Scientist Colin Pillinger passes away, Former boxing champion Jimmy Ellis passes away, Tributes are paid to Elena Baltacha, Paul Robeson Junior passes away, Tributes are paid to former footballer Sandy Jardine, Headstones are damaged at a Belfast cemetery, Tributes are paid to popular politician, Generous response in wake of marathon tragedy, Tributes are paid to actress Edna Dore, Private funeral is planned for Mickey Rooney, Country musician Arthur Smith passes away, Comedy writer Bob Larbey passes away, Surfing pioneer Hobie Alter passes away, Writer Sam McAughtry passes away, Internet sensation Peter Oakley passes away, Tributes are paid to actor James Rebhorn or Funeral takes place of James Ellis

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.