FORMER LIBERAL Democrat MP Sir Cyril Smith, born the illegitimate son of a Rochdale housemaid and who became one of the best known MPs in the United Kingdom during the 1980s, has died after a long illness, aged 82.
In his prime, the weight of outspoken and sometimes difficult Mr Smith touched 190kg (30st). He held the record for being the heaviest man to hold a House of Commons seat, and remained so to this day.
During his life, he changed parties three times, once serving as Labour mayor for his home town and later in 1976 – four years after his election as a Liberal MP for Rochdale – suggesting the creation of a new centre-ground party.
Born into poverty, Mr Smith was one of three illegitimate children. He won a scholarship to Rochdale Grammar School for Boys and developed his powerful speaking skills that later served him well in politics in his local Unitarian Church.
His former colleague, Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne, said that Mr Smith had been “adored” by his fellow townspeople.
“His honesty just shone through him. If he was your friend he was the best friend that you could have had.”
Ever critical of “Westminster hypocrisy”, Mr Smith once famously described it “as the longest-running farce in the West End” with the type of plain-speaking that won him admirers far outside the world of politics.
