Francis Pym, a former Northern Secretary, has died in England after a long illness at the age of 86.
Lord Pym followed Willie Whitelaw as the second Secretary of State, but his tenure lasted only four months from November 1973 to February 1974.
That included some of the peak periods of violence in the history of the Troubles.
It also coincided with the opening of negotiations at Sunningdale to conclude a power-sharing settlement.
One of his first tasks was to swear in the power-sharing ministers, led by Brian Faulkner and Gerry Fitt.
His term in office was cut short by the defeat of the Heath government in a snap election in early 1974.
He later became British Foreign Secretary during the Falklands War after the resignation of Lord Carrington.
His political career also included spells as defence secretary and as chief whip of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher.
