This letter, apparently written without the knowledge of his constituency party, remained secret until revealed by the release of part of the Thatcher archive in 2013.

[2] According to his obituary he treated his constituents in much the same way as he treated the tenants of his Market Harborough and Altnaharra estates advising potential MPs not to promise to hold surgeries and not to live in the constituency unless sure there was a good local hunt.

He indirectly gave money to an anti-field sports organisation after an Industrial Tribunal ruled that he sacked his housekeeper unfairly and she donated part of her compensation.

[6] In March 1993, he was appointed Chairman of the British Greyhound Racing Trust, a position he held until 1996.

[7][8] He also held senior positions in show jumping, light horse breeding organisations and in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.