Tuesday 17 October 2023 4:22 pm | Updated: Tuesday 17 October 2023 4:27 pm

Tory grandees and Nigella gather to pay tribute to Lord Lawson

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (far left), former prime minister sir John Major (second left), and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Dame Eleanor Laing and Nigel Evans (right) leave St Margaret’s Church in central London after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lawson who died earlier this year. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

TV cook Nigella Lawson was joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a thanksgiving service for her father, Nigel Lawson, a former chancellor.

Former prime minister Sir John Major, current Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and ex-chancellor George Osborne also attended the service at St Margaret’s Church in Westminster.

Lord Lawson, who died in April aged 91, was described by Sunak as an “inspiration”, while Hunt said his shoes were “impossible to fill” for any of his successors in No 11.

The former MP served as Margaret Thatcher’s chancellor from 1983 until his resignation in 1989, before sitting in the House of Lords as Baron Lawson of Blaby until his retirement in December last year.

Lord Lawson helped transform Britain while serving in the Thatcher government, slashing personal taxation and overseeing an economic boom.

(left to right) Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Dominic Lawson, Rosa Monckton and Nigella Lawson leave St Margaret's Church in central London after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lawson who died earlier this year. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire) — (left to right) Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Dominic Lawson, Rosa Monckton and Nigella Lawson leave St Margaret’s Church in central London after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Lawson who died earlier this year. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

His resignation in 1989 after rows over Europe and economic policy marked the early stages of her downfall a year later.

As well as the Prime Minister and Chancellor, the service at St Margaret’s was attended by members of the Cabinet, including Michael Gove and Kemi Badenoch.

Press Association – David Hughes