Tory MP Owen Paterson pays tribute to ‘wonderful, caring’ wife after she is found dead at their family home
Owen Paterson has paid tribute to his wife following the news
2 min read
The wife of former Cabinet minister Owen Paterson has been found dead at their family home in Shropshire.
The Conservative MP for North Shropshire said the death of his "wonderful, caring wife", Rose, had come as a "terrible shock".
In a statement released on Wednesday, the former environment and Northern Ireland secretary, said: "It is with great sadness that I must inform you that my wife, Rose, has been found dead at our family home in Shropshire.
"Rose and I were married for 40 happy years.
"She was a wonderful, caring wife, mother and grandmother.
"Her death has come as a terrible shock to us all.
"I would ask the media to respect the privacy of myself and my family at this extremely difficult time."
The couple married in 1980 and have three children.
Ms Paterson had served as the chair of Aintree Racecourse since 2014 and was made a Steward of The Jockey Club since 2019.
Responding to the news, Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club, said “This is tragic news and our thoughts go out to Rose’s husband Owen and all members of her family.
“Rose was a wonderful person and involved in so many aspects of our sport.
"She was a skilled Chairman at Aintree, a valued member of our Board of Stewards and headed up our Horse Welfare Group. She also enjoyed participating at grassroots level over many years."
He added: “We appreciated her contribution very much and my fellow Stewards and I looked forward to hearing her sound views on a subject, where she was always sensitive to the best course of action for racing.
"She will be missed greatly for the person she was.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Boris Johnson said: "The Prime Minister heard the news this morning and has written to Owen.
"His thoughts and sympathies are with Owen, his children and grandchildren at this difficult time."
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