THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: In a Cabinet heavy with English public school privilege and social liberalism, Dr Liam Fox stood out.
A Scottish Catholic raised in an East Kilbride council house, he went from his state school to Glasgow University. There, he read medicine, won debating competitions and emerged as a Rightwing [sic] Conservative, resigning from the union after it recognised a gay and lesbian society.
First elected in north Somerset in 1992, he rebelled over the Maastricht Treaty, but was still given a job as a junior Foreign Office minister in the Major government. In that role he became involved in attempts to end Sri Lanka's civil war, brokering a settlement – never implemented – known as the Fox Plan.
Gregarious to a fault, stories of his social life are a staple at Westminster. In 2005, aged 44, he married Jesme Baird, a fellow medic and Glaswegian, and used the occasion to dismiss rumours that have dogged him.
"I know that some people use smears and I have heard them for years," he said. "They'd say, 'Why are you not married? You must be a playboy or a wild man or gay,' or whatever. Well, I'm getting married in December and I'm perfectly happy with my private life." » | James Kirkup, Political Correspondent | Sunday, October 09, 2011 [sic?]
TELEGRAPH BLOGS – PETER OBORNE: Liam Fox resigns: he will sink without trace – The resignation of Liam Fox is not nearly as big a deal as it looks. He will sink without trace, and the waves will close over him fast. The issue has been competently handled by David Cameron, who was completely right to ask Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell to conduct a thorough enquiry before reaching a final decision. » | Peter Oborne | Friday, October 14, 2011
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Defence Secretary Liam Fox resigns over links with friend Adam Werrity: Defence Secretary Liam Fox has resigned after a week of disclosures about this links to his close friend Adam Werritty. » | Christopher Hope, Whitehall Editor | Friday, October 14, 2011
