Richard Ryder, Baron Ryder of Wensum
Richard Andrew Ryder, Baron Ryder of Wensum,OBE,PC(born 4 February 1949) is a BritishConservative Partypolitician. A formerMember of Parliament(MP) and government minister, he was made alife peerin 1997 and was a member of theHouse of Lordsfrom 1997 to 2021.
Early life[edit]
He was educated atRadley CollegeandMagdalene College, Cambridge.
In the1981 Birthday HonoursRyder was appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE), for political service.[1]
Parliamentary career[edit]
Having unsuccessfully fought theLabourseat ofGateshead EastinFebruaryandOctober 1974,Ryder was elected at the1983 general electionas MP for theMid Norfolkconstituency. From 1990 to 1995 he was the government'sChief Whip.This period includes the Conservative backbench rebellion over theMaastricht Treaty.The maverick MPs, known as theMaastricht Rebels,were under intense pressure from the government whips but still brought the administration ofJohn Majorclose to collapse.
Ryder retired from theHouse of Commonsat the1997 general election,and was created alife peerasBaron Ryder of Wensum,ofWensumin the County ofNorfolkon 22 November 1997. He will retire from the Lords on 12 April 2021.[2]
Outside Parliament[edit]
![]() |
He became Vice-Chairman of theBBCon 1 January 2002 for a four-year term.
Ryder was appointed Acting Chairman of the BBC following the resignation ofGavyn Davieson 28 January 2004. Davies resigned following the criticism of the BBC in theHutton Report,which was set up to investigate "the circumstances surrounding the death ofDr David Kelly".One of Ryder's first acts as chairman was to give a televised statement, during which he offered an unreserved apology for the mistakes made during the Dr. Kelly affair. This apology was criticised by many, including departingDirector General,Greg Dyke,as overdone. In the same statement Ryder announced that the process to select a new Chairman had begun, and that he would not be putting his name forward.Michael Gradewas appointed on 2 April 2004 and took up his post on 17 May; Ryder resumed the post of Vice-Chairman.
Ryder resigned early on 1 August 2004, after which the position was assumed byAnthony Salz.
Ryder is the Chairman of theInstitute of Cancer Research,and is a director ofIpswich Town F.C.
Family[edit]
He is a nephew of the lateSue Ryder,the Baroness Ryder of Warsaw.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^"No. 48639".The London Gazette(Supplement). 13 June 1981. p. 11.
- ^"No. 54961".The London Gazette.27 November 1997. p. 13331.
External links[edit]
- 1949 births
- Alumni of Magdalene College, Cambridge
- BBC Governors
- Chairmen of the BBC
- Conservative Party (UK) life peers
- Conservative Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies
- Living people
- Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom
- People educated at Radley College
- UK MPs 1983–1987
- UK MPs 1987–1992
- UK MPs 1992–1997
- United Kingdom Paymasters General
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Life peers created by Elizabeth II
- Peers retired under the House of Lords Reform Act 2014