Profile

Former Liberal Democrat Peer

Entered the House of Lords on 16 October 2001

Previously MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross until 14 May 2001 — General election

Left the House of Lords on 17 January 2020

Entered the House of Commons on 31 March 1966 — General election

Also represented Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; Caithness and Sutherland

• Early Day Motions signed by this MP

Other offices held in the past

• Member, Constitution Committee ( 8 Jun 2015 to 12 Jun 2018)
• Member, European Union Committee ( 8 Nov 2010 to 30 Mar 2015)
• Member, Leader's Group on Working Practices Committee (27 Jul 2010 to 26 Apr 2011)
• Member, Economic Affairs Committee (22 Jun 2010 to 24 Nov 2010)
• Spokesperson for the Cabinet Office, Spokesperson for Constitutional Affairs, Spokesperson for Scotland ( 8 Jan 2009 to 11 May 2010)
• Member, Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (Joint Committee) ( 1 May 2008 to 22 Jul 2008)
• Scotland, Scottish and Northern Ireland Affairs ( 6 Mar 2008 to 8 Jan 2009)
• Spokesperson in the Lords, Ministry of Justice (27 Jul 2007 to 8 Jan 2009)
• Spokesperson in the Lords, Scottish Affairs ( 6 Jul 2007 to 6 Mar 2008)
• Spokesperson In the Lords (With Special Responsibility for Civil Service Reform) ( 5 Jul 2007 to 8 Jan 2009)
• Spokesperson In the Lords (With Special Responsibility for Civil Service Reform), Cabinet Office ( 1 Jun 2005 to 5 Jul 2007)
• Member, European Union Committee (24 May 2005 to 12 Nov 2009)
• Spokesperson in the Lords, Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (22 Feb 2005 to 1 Jun 2005)
• Spokesperson in the Lords, Scotland (22 Feb 2005 to 6 Jul 2007)
• Member, Constitutional Reform Bill Committee (22 Mar 2004 to 24 Jun 2004)
• Shadow Minister, Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs (26 Jan 2004 to 22 Feb 2005)
• Member, Human Rights (Joint Committee) (17 Jan 2001 to 11 May 2005)
• Party Chair, Liberal Democrats ( 1 Jan 1995 to 31 Dec 1998)
• Member, Standards in Public Life Committee (16 Nov 1994 to 8 Nov 1995)
• Joint Leader, Social & Liberal Democrats ( 3 Mar 1988 to 16 Jul 1988)
• Leader of the Social Democratic Party (28 Aug 1987 to 16 Jul 1988)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) ( 1 Jan 1980 to 2 Mar 1981)
• Member, Public Accounts Committee (11 Dec 1979 to 3 Nov 1999)
• Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Prices and Consumer Protection) ( 5 Mar 1974 to 4 May 1979)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Defence) ( 1 Jul 1972 to 31 Dec 1974)
• Shadow Spokesperson (Scotland) (18 Jun 1970 to 30 Jun 1972)