Author and former politician Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

Bestselling author and former politician Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86. The prolific writer, known for his Clifton Chronicles and Kane and Abel series, sold over 300 million books throughout his five-decade career. He often drew inspiration from his home town of Wellington, Somerset, where many of his novels were set.

Archer's publisher, HarperCollins, confirmed that the author died "suddenly and peacefully at home" on Monday during a writing session. In 2001, Archer was incarcerated for perjury after being found guilty of lying and cheating during his 1987 libel case against The Daily Star. He served four years in prison before being released in 2003 and returning to the House of Lords until his retirement in 2024.

Born in north London on April 15, 1940, Archer relocated to Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with his family as a child. He began his political career in 1969, serving as an MP for the Lincolnshire constituency of Louth for five years before becoming the Conservative Party deputy chairman. His political journey was interrupted in 2001 after he was jailed for perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Archer's last book, "Adam and Eve," is set for release this week. HarperCollins described him as a "master storyteller," whose readers "meant everything to him." Last week, he returned to his former school to promote his final novel, expressing delight at seeing the next generation.

Archer was due to attend the Cheltenham Festival on Saturday to discuss his latest work. He and his wife Mary recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, with two sons and five grandchildren. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch expressed her shock and gratitude for Archer's support as she tweeted, "I am incredibly saddened to hear this news." HarperCollins UK CEO and Jeffrey's editor, Kate Elton, praised Archer's commitment to perfecting his craft and his role as a champion of teamwork in publishing.