He read law at Trinity College, Oxford, from 1937, but took a commission in the 15/19 Hussars in 1939 on the outbreak of World War II.

[1] He accompanied Sir Walter Monckton, advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad, to India in 1946 and 1947, in the run up to Indian independence.

[1] Peyton unsuccessfully contested the safe Labour seat of Bristol Central for the Conservative Party in the 1950 general election.

He became Minister of Transport in the government of Edward Heath after the 1970 general election,[1] one of six Monday Club MP members to achieve high office.

He was in office when the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board collapsed; he privatised British Rail's travel agency, Thomas Cook & Son, in 1972; and made helmets compulsory for motorcyclists.

[1] Peyton stood down from the House of Commons at the 1983 general election, and Yeovil was won by Paddy Ashdown for the Liberal Party.

[3] He held right-wing views, but consistently opposed capital punishment, and he led a rebellion against the privatisation of the British rail industry under John Major in 1990.

[1] He also held positions with the London and Manchester Assurance Company, Trusthouse Forte, and British Aluminium, of which he was chairman from 1987 to 1991.

[4] Peyton died from multiple organ failure at St George's Hospital in London on 22 November 2006.