Lord Triesman, former Labour minister and FA chair, dies aged 82 | Labour
Former Labor Minister and Football Association president Lord Triesman has died aged 82. Labor said his peer died “peacefully and at home” on Friday night.
Former prime minister Tony Blair paid tribute to Triesman as “a vital part of the New Labor movement”. Angela Smith, Labour’s leader in the House of Lords, described him as someone “respected and loved by his colleagues for his kindness, his kindness, his wisdom, his loyalty and his generous spirit”.
Triesman was general secretary of the University Teachers’ Union union and general secretary of the Labor Party before joining the Blair government in the House of Lords in 2004.
He served as foreign secretary and later under-secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills.
Triesman later became Labour’s shadow foreign secretary and also sat on many leading select committees.
A statement from the Labor Party said: “He took a very active role in the House of Lords from 2004 until his death. He served as Lord in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II from 2004 to 2022.”
The party added: “A passionate Spurs Supporter, Lord Triesman became the first patron of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the first independent chairman of the FA (Football Association), from which he advocated extensively against racism in football and advocated for the increasing centrality of women’s football.
“He later played a key role in exposing corruption at FIFA.”
In 2010, he resigned as FA chairman after secretly making bribery allegations about rival countries’ bids to host the men’s World Cup.
Blair, who was prime minister from 1997 to 2007, said in a statement: “David was a vital part of the New Labor movement and over time he became a great friend.
“He was passionate about the cause, whether it was Labor or football, and was deeply committed to making change to improve people’s lives.
“He was someone who was uncompromising in his loyalty and commitment, and was both loved and admired by those who had the privilege of working with him.
“He was a kind, sincere and good man who naturally and without hesitation put others before himself. I offer my deepest condolences to Lucy and all her family.”
Lady Smith said: “As a Labor Party member, David was respected and loved by his colleagues for his kindness, courtesy, wisdom, loyalty and generosity.
“It was great company, with a wide circle of friends who shared lively conversations about their many interests and passions, particularly but not limited to politics and football.
“David faced his illness with incredible courage and was engaged in friendship even in the final weeks of his life. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, but we are proud to have had his friendship.”
Labor Party general secretary Hollie Ridley also paid tribute to her predecessor.
He said: “Very few general secretaries have had the privilege of serving Labor and the country while Labor has been in power – and David’s work while in this role has helped to ensure that our campaign machinery has a solid foundation to help us win a third term in government.
“His dedication to public service was admirable and he will be greatly missed by those with whom he worked so closely.”
Triesman is survived by his wife, Lucy, and their daughter, Ilona.
