Tom Spencer (politician)

Thomas Newnham Bayley Spencer (10 April 1948 – 4 May 2023) was a British Conservative politician and former Member of the European Parliament (MEP).

Tom Spencer
Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament
In office
16 June 1994 – 16 September 1997
Preceded byChristopher Prout
Succeeded byEdward McMillan-Scott
Member of the European Parliament
for Surrey
In office
9 June 1994 – 10 June 1999
Preceded byConstituency created
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Member of the European Parliament
for Surrey West
In office
15 June 1989 – 9 June 1994
Preceded byCharles Wellesley
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Member of the European Parliament
for Derbyshire
In office
10 June 1979 – 14 June 1984
Preceded byConstituency created
Succeeded byGeoff Hoon
Personal details
Born(1948-04-10)10 April 1948
Died4 May 2023(2023-05-04) (aged 75)
NationalityBritish
Political partyConservative
Alma materUniversity of Southampton

Life and career

Spencer was born on 10 April 1948. He was educated at Pangbourne Nautical College and the University of Southampton.

Spencer served as Conservative MEP for Derbyshire from 1979 to 1984, Conservative MEP for Surrey West from 1989 to 1994, and as Conservative MEP for Surrey from 1994 to 1999.[1] He was leader of the UK Conservative MEPs from 1995 to 1998 and was Chairman of the Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee from 1997 to 1999.

Spencer decided not to stand for re-election to the European Parliament in 1999 after being found with gay pornography and two cannabis cigarettes in his luggage at Heathrow Airport.[2] Spencer acknowledged being gay and said that his wife was aware of that before they married.[2] Spencer was in a relationship with pornographic actor Cole Tucker, who was depicted in the pornography found in Spencer's luggage.[3]

Spencer died from progressive supranuclear palsy on 4 May 2023, at the age of 75.[4][5]

References
  1. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. International Publications Service. 1997.
  2. "Drugs scandal MEP quits". BBC News. 31 January 1999. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  3. Morgan, Gary (2 February 1999), "HIV shock for wife of drug bust Tory", Scottish Daily Record & Sunday, retrieved 9 February 2011
  4. "Thomas (Tom) Spencer". The Times. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  5. "Tom Spencer obituary". The Times. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.


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