Tributes paid to former Gosport MP Sir Peter Viggers, 82, who resigned after duck house expenses scandal

Sir Peter Viggers, who served as the town’s MP between 1974 and 2010, has died aged 82 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The Tory stalwart was the town’s first MP elected to office after the seat was created following the breaking up of the former Gosport and Fareham constituency in 1974.

However, his political career was overshadowed during the expenses scandal saga a decade ago, when it was revealed he had filed a £1,645 receipt for a floating duck house plus £30,000 in other gardening costs. Sir Peter later resigned over claims, with current Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage winning the seat in 2010.

Former political allies have since spoken out in defence of Sir Peter following news of his death on March 19, and described him as a ‘true gentleman’.

Conservative Margaret Snaith-Tempia knew Sir Peter during her time as a Gosport borough and Hampshire county councillor.

She said: ‘He was absolutely wonderful. He did such a lot for the people of Gosport that was never, ever talked about.

‘He was a pillar of the community who showed up to everything. He helped everybody, whether they voted for him or not. He was a gentleman to the core.

‘The way his career ended was very unjust.’

Councillor Mark Hook, leader of Gosport Borough Council, knew Sir Peter for 30 years and said: ‘He was always a gentleman.

‘He had his own unique style of campaigning. I remember the times when he used to go out on a dingy across Portsmouth Harbour to talk to people travelling on the Gosport ferry.

‘He was a great man that worked very hard for the community. He was a flamboyant dresser and a big character.’

He added it was ‘unfortunate’ that Sir Peter’s expenses had been ‘leaked’ and insisted: ‘He never tried to claim for the duck house. He just put the receipts in. That got leaked out and it was part of his downfall which was very sad for a man who spent 36 years of his life working hard for the people of Gosport.’

Sir Peter was born on March 13, 1938 and grew up in Gosport, He was educated at Alverstoke School and Portsmouth Grammar School before later studying at the University of Cambridge.

During the 1950s he spent time with the Royal Air Force as part of his national service before joining the Territorial Army as an officer.

During his time in parliament, he served as industry minister for Northern Ireland under former PM Margaret Thatcher between 1986 and 1989.

Sir Peter had been criticised by bereaved families of patients at Gosport War Memorial Hospital for not supporting their fight for justice. A report in 2018 found their lives had been shortened and a major police investigation is underway.In March 2009 on the eve of inquests in Portsmouth into some of the deaths, Sir Peter said: 'I like and know the hospital and the people there and would like the issue to be allowed to rest.

After resigning from his seat the following year, Sir Peter spent his time between his homes in London and northern France.

Several years ago he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a debilitating neurological condition which prevents messages from the brain and spinal cord from reaching the muscles.

The illness leads to muscles wasting away and affects the ability to move, eat and eventually breathe.

Mrs Snaith-Tempia paid tribute to Sir Peter’s ‘bravery’ during this period and said: ‘We were all shocked when we heard Peter had it. He was such a fit and vibrant man. To see that all washed away was heartbreaking.

‘It’s the most shocking, dreadful disease.I have lost two of my close friends to it. Nobody deserves to die of it.

‘He was very brave and would have been very stoic about the diagnosis.’

Gosport MP Caorline Dinenage added she was ‘saddened’ Sir Peter had ‘lost his brave battle’ with the disease.

Sir Peter died six days after his 82nd birthday. He is survived by his wife, Jenny and their two children.