Paddy Ashdown "never forgot his roots in Northern Ireland"

By Q Radio News

Q Radio's been told Lord Paddy Ashdown will be "greatly missed".

The former Liberal Democrat Leader, who grew up in County Down has died at the age of 77.

Lord Ashdown went on to serve here with the British Force before playing a role in the peace process.

As the leader of the Lib Dem's sister party, Alliance David Ford knew him well.

He says, Lord Ashdown "never forgot his roots in Northern Ireland, any time I saw him he was keen to hear how things were going in politics in Northern Ireland".

Mr Ford recalled one occasion where Lord Ashdown had been writing about politics and made a visit here, saying "I remember actually travelling in a helicopter with him past Comber and his excitement as he looked down of the roof of the house in which he grew up as a boy"

Listen below as Mr Ford discusses Lord Ashdown's role in the peace process here:

Theresa May has praised the dedication of the former Liberal Democrat leader, saying he "will be sorely missed". 

Under his leadership the party became a political force, with 46 MPs by 1997.