The former Conservative MP and Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo has paid tribute to his former colleague and one-time Parliamentary Private Secretary Sir David Amess who was murdered whilst holding a surgery in his Leigh-on-Sea constituency.

The former Conservative MP and Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo has paid tribute to his former colleague and one-time Parliamentary Private Secretary Sir David Amess who was murdered whilst holding a surgery in his Leigh-on-Sea constituency.

Speaking to Radio Newark's Ian McGregor, he spoke of Sir David's passion for his work as an MP and described him as "one of those generous hearted, lovely people who never lost his temper and was never mean to anybody."

Talking about his own time in parliament, he described Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher as "magnificent" and "inspiring", but also "a maddening person to work with as nothing was ever good enough for her."

He also recalled how, during his time as Transport Secretary, he was instrumental in saving the historic Settle-Carlisle railway line from closing, but named the West Highland Line, which features in the Harry Potter movies, as his personal favourite.

Michael brings his "Audience With" show to Newark’s Palace Theatre on Saturday October 23.

You can hear his chat with ian here.

He wil also feature on Friday's (22nd Oct) Radio Newark Breakfast Show.

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Meet Radio Newark’s new breakfast host Ian McGregor