I was so sorry to learn of James’ death. I was one of the partners who recruited James to Gouldens as a trainee solicitor; subsequently we worked together in the “world of waste” , which was quite esoteric at the time. Indeed although I have been retired for 7 years now, I received this afternoon an email from a client ( Nigel Sandy) for whom James and I used to do a lot of work together. I extract part of Nigel’s email: “ Dear Clare I was very sorry to read that James has died. I know he had been ill but I guess we thought being a youngish guy he would pull through. I liked James who I worked with on quite a few deals when I was Hanson. We are just about to leave for Turkey so I was going to ask that if you are in touch with his family pass on my condolences as well. Love Nigel” James achieved so much in politics and was so principled and straightforward ( unlike some of his fellow MPs) . We former fellow Gouldens (then Jones Day) partners followed his political career with great interest. I am sure he would have been devastated to have to give it up in order to keep battling against this b……dy disease. As a fellow cancer patient he and I exchanged emails over the years since he was diagnosed and I hope I was able to give him some support. Anyway I just wanted to drop you a brief message of sympathy and condolences at this difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. With every sympathy Clare Clare Deanesly