Menzies Campbell

Liberal Democrat MP Fife North East

Date of birth

22 May 1941

Political profile

An MP since 1987, Menzies Campbell is one of the best known Liberal Democrats, and certainly among the party's most polished media performers.

His authoritative air and "grandee" style helped to give the party credibility in its nascent days, and he has been rewarded with a long-term job as the party's principal spokesman on foreign affairs and defence.

He is also the party's deputy leader.

He is pro-European and has also been one of the most prominent parliamentary critics of US proposals for National Missile Defence.

A supporter of the Liberal Democrats' links with Labour developed under Paddy Ashdown, Mr Campbell was talked about as a possible successor as leader but did not bid for the position in 1999.

Although he made his living prior to his election as a barrister in Scotland, Mr Campbell was also an athletics star in his youth.

He competed as a sprinter in the Tokyo Olympics, and held the UK 100m record for many years.

Contact

Commons office: 020 7219 4446