Nigella Lawson speaks on her father’s death for the first time
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson has shared an update with her social media followers, thanking them for their support following her father’s death.
The news of his passing was covered by the BBC and The Guardian on April 4, naming the former conservative chancellor as “one of the most consequential of all post-war UK chancellors”.
Nigel Lawson was 91 years old when he passed, with a political career of almost five decades to his name. He served under Margaret Thatcher during the 1980s, holding a number of different roles, before retiring to the backbench in 1992. He went on to sit in the House of Lords until his retirement, just three short months before his passing.
Nigel is survived by six children, and it was the 63-year-old Nigella who took to Twitter to express her gratitude to her 2.7 million followers for the love and support being directed to their family in their time of grief, as well as assuring them that while she needed some time, she would return to them.
“Thank you for all your kind messages,” she wrote. “And I’ll be back on here properly tomorrow.”
“Thinking of you, dearest girl. Your father was always kind and a consummate gentleman whenever I came across him as a journalist,” journalist Pádraig Belton wrote in response, before sharing a brief insight into his experiences with the late Nigel.
“Been thinking of you, and Dominic and your kids today. Your dad was an interesting man,” editor Fiammetta Rocco said. “Scary, but very smart.”
“Be well. Know that you are loved. Holding you and your family in prayer during this time of loss,” a reverend offered.
“Don't rush yourself - give yourself enough time to process it all. Wrap yourself in the good memories & cosset yourself however you choose about the not so good,” one kind supporter advised. “Take care of yourself first - we can all wait.”
Nigella wasn’t the only notable figure to note Nigel’s death on social media, with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sharing his condolences with his own 1.9 million followers.
"One of the first things I did as Chancellor was hang a picture of Nigel Lawson above my desk," he said.
"He was a transformational Chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
And Britain’s former prime minister Boris Johnson also had something to offer, writing that Nigel “was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism. He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams … He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Images: Getty