Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue

Bernard Donoughue, Baron Donoughue (born 8 September 1934) is a British politician, academic, businessman and author.[1][2] His autobiography was published in 2003 (revised edition, 2004).

Early life and education

According to his autobiography, Donoughue was born into poverty. He is the son of Thomas Joseph Donoughue.[3] He was educated at Campbell Secondary Modern School and Northampton Grammar School.[4] He then studied at Lincoln College, Oxford,[4] where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1957. He then attended Nuffield College, Oxford, where he graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy[4] in 1963. He was also Heary Fellow at Harvard.[5]

Career

Donoughue was a member of the editorial staff of The Economist in 1959 and 1960. He was senior research officer of the Political and Economic Planning Institute (which became the Policy Studies Institute in 1976[6]) between 1960 and 1963, and senior lecturer, at the London School of Economics (LSE) between 1963 and 1974.[1]

He became head of the Number 10 Policy Unit in 1974, under Prime Minister Harold Wilson.[7] He continued as head under Wilson's successor, James Callaghan, and he held the office until the defeat of the Labour Party in 1979.[8]

From 1979 to 1981, Donoughue was Development Director of the Economist Intelligence Unit, and in 1981 and 1982 assistant editor of The Times until his dismissal by Rupert Murdoch.[9]

Around this time, he was also one of the sources inside Whitehall used by the writers of the comedy series Yes Minister, the other one being Baroness Falkender.[10]:98

He was head of research and investment policy of Grieveson Grant and Co from 1982 to 1986 and head of international research and Director of Kleinwort Grieveson Securities Ltd from 1986 to 1988.[11] Following, Donoughue was executive Vice-Chair of LBI from 1988 to 1991, Director of Towcester Racecourse Ltd from 1992 to 1997 and is an Honorary Fellow of LSE.[12] He was a Visiting Professor of Government at LSE from 2000 to 2011/2012.[13]

Donoughue helped found the British Horse Industry Confederation in 1999[14][15] and was a Consultant Member until 2003.[2] He became Chairman of the Starting Price Regulatory Commission (SPRC) when it was founded in 2004 and as of 2013 was still in that role.[16] The SPRC is a non-profit organisation operating on a cost recovery basis that "is responsible for the integrity of the starting price (SP). The majority of bets on British horseracing struck with bookmakers in betting shops and other off-course outlets are paid out according to the SP. The job of the Commission is to ensure that the returned price accurately reflects the price available on-course at the off."[16]

Donoughue was also Chairman of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1979 to 1991, Patron from 1989 to 1995, and has been an Associate since 2000.

House of Lords

On 27 May 1985, he was created a Life Peer as Baron Donoughue of Ashton in the County of Northamptonshire.[2]

He was an Opposition Labour spokesman for Energy, Heritage and Treasury matters from 1991–92.[2] In 1997, Tony Blair appointed him a Junior Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in which role he served until 1999.[2]

Personal life

Donoughue was married to Carol Ruth Goodman from 1959 until their divorce in 1989; they have two sons and two daughters.[17] He married Lady Sarah Berry, widow of Sir Anthony Berry, in 2009.[18]

Works

References

  1. 1 2 Donoughue in Debrett's People of Today
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Donoughue Profile at the House of Lords website
  3. ↑ "Donoughue, Lord, Baron Bernard, Life Peer", International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who, Brill Publishers, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 The Baron Donoughue, Burke's Peerage
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ About PSI Office Page
  7. ↑ Roy Hattersley for The Observer, 9 July 2005. "No one likes a sneak"
  8. ↑ Dennis Kavanagh for The Telegraph, 29 May 2003. "Some unfinished business at No 10"
  9. ↑ Harold Evans. Good Times, Bad Times. Atheneum (1984). Chapters 12–13.
  10. ↑ Jonathan Lynn. Comedy Rules: From the Cambridge Footlights to Yes, Prime Minister. Faber & Faber, Aug 18, 2011 ISBN 9780571277971
  11. ↑ Staff, Interview in Marxism Today, November 1987 City Strategies
  12. ↑ LSE List of Honorary Fellows
  13. ↑ Archived 20 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine. —Mile End Group at Queen Mary, University of London (archived)
  14. ↑ BHIC About Us Page
  15. ↑ Lords' Hansard 13 May 1999 : Column 1289
  16. 1 2 Staff, Starting Price Regulatory Commission, June 2012. Starting Price Regulatory Commission Report 2011
  17. ↑ Goodman entry in thepeerage.com
  18. ↑ Andy McSmith for The Independent. 24 October 2009. "Village people: 24/10/2009"
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