A former Conservative politician who served as MP for Brent North for 23 years has died after a long illness.

Sir Rhodes Boyson, 87, held the seat from 1974 to 1997 and served in Margaret Thatcher’s government in a number of junior ministerial positions, including social security, education and environment.

The former headteacher was known for his traditional views on education, supporting the right to use corporal punishment and opposing the mass introduction of comprehensives.

He also campaigned against gay rights, and supported privatisation, lower taxes and the death penalty.

Before entering politics, Sir Rhodes served in the Navy and was a headteacher at schools in his native Lancashire as well as east and north London.

He reportedly grew his trademark mutton chop sideburns in exchange for sixth-form students he taught agreeing to cut their long hair.

Sir Rhodes lost his parliamentary seat in 1997 to Labour’s Barry Gardiner in the landslide as Tony Blair became Prime Minister.

He had suffered politically from the decision of his government to close Edgware General Hospital, with hundreds of protestors calling for services at the facility to be retained in the lead-up to the General Election.

Sir Rhodes was knighted in 1987 after leaving his final Government position, and did not serve as a minister under Sir John Major’s government, despite voting for him in the Conservative leadership election.

He passed away on Tuesday after a long illness.