Trivia

Educated at Charterhouse and King's College, Cambridge.

A former actor, he worked as a screenwriter for Ealing and MGM (1948-54) after the war. Also wrote plays. Came to note as a speech writer for three Conservative English Prime Ministers: Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher (he was knighted when she came to power) and John Major. For Thatcher, he wrote the famous line "The lady's not for turning".

Served as a sub-lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from 1940-43, when he was invalided out.