Obituary: Lord Swinton, lawyer

Born in Stafford on the day after Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, Lord Swinton was the son of Major John Cunliffe-Lister, who was killed in action In Tunisia in 1943, and of Anne Irvine Cunliffe-Lister (formerly Medlicott). He was educated at Selwyn House Prep School in Broadstairs, Kent, and then Winchester College, before going up to Worcester College, Oxford where he gained a degree in law. But he spent many of his formative years with his grandparents at the family’s ancestral home, Swinton Park, near Masham in North Yorkshire.

After National Service as a second Lieutenant in the Welsh Guards, he did his legal training at Lincoln’s Inn and qualified as a solicitor in 1966.

Returning to Yorkshire, he represented Masham for 17 years on the borough council, was chairman of the angling club and a vice-chairman of Masham Golf Club.

He also supported the West of Yore Hunt, with which he rode regularly. A fine shot, he loved being up on the grouse moors of the family estate

In Sledmere, East Yorkshire, where he lived with his second wife Pamela, he was clerk to the parish council and served on various charity committees.

He is survived by Pamela and by three children from his first marriage, three step-children and 11 grandchildren.