Prominent Conservatives have led tributes to Lord Michael Spicer, former chairman of the 1922 Committee and ERG founder, who has died in hospital after a long illness.

A family spokesman said Lord Spicer, 76, had Parkinson’s and leukaemia.

His widow, Patricia Ann Hunter, paid tribute to the “amazing husband and wonderful father”, saying he had remained involved in politics until his death.

Conservative party chairman Brandon Lewis described Lord Spicer as “a kind, courteous and faithful member” of the party, while Priti Patel lauded his “achievements during the Thatcher government”.

Lord Spicer was in the Commons for 26 years and served as chairman of the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs for nine years before standing down as an MP at the 2010 general election.

Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Show all 9 1 /9 Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Boris Johnson Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson has long been hopeful, he previously stood in the leadership contest that followed the Brexit vote and has at many times since been thought to be maneuvering himself towards the goal. He remains a darling of the party's right wing, particularly those in the ERG, and is the most popular choice among Tory voters but his leadership bid would be fiercely opposed by many MPs PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Michael Gove Environment secretary Michael Gove is another member who has long wanted to be leader. He has lately been known for rousing his party in the commons, his recent speeches on the Brexit deal and Labour's no confidence motion have overshadowed the Prime Minister's. He has been loyal to the Prime Minister, partly to shed his reputation as a backstabber who abandoned Boris Johnson to stand against him in the 2016 leadership election Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Dominic Raab Former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab has emerged as a favourite to be the Brexiteer candidate in a contest to succeed to Ms May. He displayed a grip on detail in his role as Brexit secretary. When asked recently if he would like to become prime minister he replied "never say never" Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Rory Stewart International development secretary Rory Stewart is pitching himself as the sensible candidate, promising to rule out both a second referendum and a no-deal Brexit. He was only recently promoted to the cabinet, previously serving as prisons minister, where he caught headlines with a pledge to resign if he could not reduce levels of violence within a year PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Esther McVey The former work and pensions secretary announced that she will be standing for the leadership when May leaves. McVey is the first to explicitly state that she intends to stand. She resigned from the cabinet in protest over May's Brexit deal AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Sajid Javid Home secretary Sajid Javid is said to have a plan in place for a leadership race. He made headlines over Christmas when he declared that people smuggling over the English channel was a "major incident" and more recently when he revoked the citizenship of ISIS bride Shamima Begum. Son of a bus driver, he wants the Conservatives to be seen as the party of social mobility PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Jeremy Hunt Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt was recently thought to be the favourite in the event of a leadership race as he could sell himself as the man to unite the party. Critics worry that his long stint as health secretary could return to haunt him at a general election. He has reportedly been holding meetings with Tory MPs over breakfast to promote his leadership PA Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Andrea Leadsom Following the Prime Minister's second defeat over her Brexit deal, Leader of the house Andrea Leadsom hosted a dinner party at which "leadership was the only topic of conversation", The Times heard. Leadsom ran against Theresa May in the 2016 leadership election before dropping out, allowing May to become Prime Minister AFP/Getty Who could succeed Theresa May as Conservative leader? Priti Patel Former international development secretary Priti Patel is thought to be positioning herself as a contender. One MP told The Independent "she knows she's from the right of the party, the part which is going to choose the next leader, so she's reminding everyone she's there." Patel left the government late in 2017 after it emerged that she had held undisclosed meetings with Israeli officials PA

He had been a Worcestershire MP since February 1974 and served in various ministerial positions from 1984 to 1990.

In 1993, he founded the European Research Group, a Eurosceptic group of Conservative MPs.

A statement released on behalf of the family said: “Ann, the wife of Lord Michael Spicer and her family wish to announce that Michael died peacefully this morning in hospital after a long illness.

“They are sure that many will be sad to hear this news. They would be grateful for a few moments privacy whilst they take into account what has happened.”

Lady Spicer said: “He has been the most amazing husband and a wonderful father and he has done a lot politically, as well as a lot of painting and art work as well.”

She said her husband, who took over from Archie Hamilton as chairman of the 1922 Committee, the body made up of all Conservative backbench MPs, in 2001, had remained politically active throughout his illness.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

She said his last letter to The Telegraph had been published only days before his death.

Lady Spicer said: “He wrote his last letter to The Telegraph, and it was published on Friday, May 17.”

Mr Lewis said in a tweet: “Sad to hear of the death of Michael Spicer. A kind, courteous and faithful member of our Party - he will be missed and my thoughts are with his wife Ann and his family.”

Ms Patel said: “Sad to learn of the death of Michael Spicer. He led the Eurosceptic movement in Parliament during the 1990s & was well known for his achievements during the Thatcher Government. My thoughts are with his wife and family.”

Fellow Tory MP Steve Baker added: “I’m very sorry to learn Michael Spicer - who founded the ERG - has passed away. My condolences to his friends and family.”

In one of his last major contributions in the House of Lords in June 2018, Lord Spicer set out his support for leaving the European Union, saying he believed the “nation state is the best unit for democracy”.

Lord Spicer said: “My Lords, this may be the last time I address this House on a point of substance - unless my health changes.

“My physiotherapist says that I will be playing tennis again by Christmas, which would be nice because I used to captain the parliamentary tennis team.

“But at the moment I do not think I could crawl here from the Bishops' Bar in a straight line without what that nice lady has given me across the counter.”

He went on to say: “Briefly, I want to make it clear why for the past 30 years I have been a pain in the neck to those who want to stay in Europe. I formed the Fresh Start group and the ERG some 30 years ago. I did so for a one-word reason.”

He added: “The word I want to use is ‘patriotism’. I do not mean the fascist form of wrapping yourself up in a flag; I mean a bit of sentiment - John Major's warm beer and the shadows of the trees across the cricket pitches, the music of Elgar, the Trooping of the Colour - but that is not the essence.

“The essence of why I oppose staying in the European Union is that it seems to me that the nation state is the best unit for democracy.”