A LORD who was almost killed in the IRA bombing in Brighton has made his final appearance in Parliament.

After more than five decades’ service at Westminster, Tory grandee Lord Tebbit has retired from the House of Lords.

The Conservative former cabinet minister bid his farewell on Wednesday as members of his family looked on from the public gallery.

Lord Tebbit and his late wife were almost killed in the IRA bombing of The Grand hotel in Brighton in 1984.

Lady Tebbit, who was seriously injured in the blast, died in 2020.

The Argus: Lord Tebbit and his late wife were almost killed in the IRA bombing of The Grand hotel in Brighton in in 1984 Lord Tebbit and his late wife were almost killed in the IRA bombing of The Grand hotel in Brighton in in 1984

A photograph of Lord Tebbit being carried out of the building, where then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was staying, was one of the enduring images of the day.

Lord Tebbit was first elected to the House of Commons in 1970, serving in Margaret Thatcher’s government, where he gained a reputation for his no-nonsense style, earning him the nickname the ‘Chingford skinhead’.

In one of his most controversial speeches in 1981, with millions unemployed, he said that in the 1930s when faced with the dole his father “got on his bike”.

The Argus: Lord Tebbit Lord Tebbit

On leaving the Commons in 1992, the former Conservative Party chairman was made a life peer.

Speaking at the start of questions in the upper chamber, business minister Lord Callanan said: “After 52 years of distinguished service in Parliament this is the final appearance of Lord Tebbit, who is also joined by his family in the public gallery.

“I am sure in speaking on behalf of the whole House in saying it has been greatly enhanced by his presence here and wish him all the very best for his long and happy retirement and we will miss him.”

Labour frontbencher Lord Kennedy of Southwark said: “I join in paying tribute to the Lord Tebbit for his long and distinguished service in this House and the other place.”

Tory peer Lord Brownlow of Shurlock Row said Lord Tebbit had inspired him as an 18-year-old to get involved in politics.

“I thank him for all his service,” he said.

The Argus: The IRA bombing of The Grand hotel in Brighton in 1984 The IRA bombing of The Grand hotel in Brighton in 1984

Labour peer Viscount Stansgate, the son of the late left-wing firebrand Tony Benn, said: “I would like to wish Lord Tebbit well in his retirement.

“He is a man I have disagreed with all my adult life.”

Tory former leader Lord Howard of Lympne also hailed Lord Tebbit for being “such an inspiration to so many of us on the Government benches for so very long”.