Politicians pay tribute to former EU Eurocrat Sir #JulianPriestley

The Briton served for ten years as secretary general of the European Parliament from 1997–2007 and was the second president of the Young European Federalists from 1974–1976.

Priestley held the highest office in the secretariat of the Parliament from 1997-2007, a time of growth as the EU expanded from 15 to 27 states and the Parliament gained in strength.

After a spell in student politics — he was president of Oxford University’s debating society, the Union — Priestley seemed destined for a career in the UK parliament and was three times a Labour candidate in Plymouth, his home  town.

Priestley led the student campaign in the 1975 UK referendum for its EU membership and, after then launching a career in Brussels, he worked for a period in the secretariat of the budgets committee.

Priestley then became secretary-general of the Party of European Socialists (1989-94), then head of the private office of Klaus Hänsch, when the German centre-left MEP was president of the Parliament from 1994 to 1997.

 Former Liberal MEP Andrew Duff led tributes to him.

Duff, now a Visiting Fellow at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, said, “I knew Julian since we were both involved in the 1971-72 student campaign to join the European Community – he at Oxford, I at Cambridge.

“His record of service to the European Parliament was remarkable, and he will be remembered as a key figure in that remarkable class of British Europeans who, in spite of the odds, made a major contribution to the political integration of Europe.”

German Socialist MEP Jo Leinen said, "Julian Priestley was a dedicated pro-European. From his student time until his last moment he believed in a united Europe and worked for it.”

Leinen added, “We lose a very passionate and competent comrade, we will keep Julian in good memory."

Socialist group leader Gianni Pittella said, "Julian Priestley will be deeply missed. He was an outstanding European. An engaged and brilliant EP official in his various and many functions he carried out. Among others as Secretary General of the EP but also as Secretary General of our Group.”

He added, “His intellect and brightness as well as his never ending optimism for the case will be missed but has inspired so many of us in the House and beyond. He was very clear in his conviction - that the European Union is the best achievement to ensure peace and prosperity in Europe. A project that of course needs reform - and being member of our Group and the Labour Party he always fought for a more social Europe - but that the EU is a project that needs to be maintained. He played a key role also as Head of the Electoral Campaign team for Martin Schulz as EU Commission President. And did not keep silent around the Brexit referendum either but continued to fight his pro-European case. We will miss him and will make sure that his optimism and European inspiration will live on".

A book of condolences in parliament has been opened in his honour.

The messages included a short note from Dutch Alde member Johannes Cornelis van Baalen who described Priestley as a “true Euorpean” who would be “sadly missed.”

Another message noted that Priestley had “made your mark and we thank you for that.”

A message from a staff member in the parliament’s communications DG wrote, “You were a wonderful secretary general.”

Another message from the Union European Federalists said, “You were a pro European and progressive – a man of the European Parliament.”

No one from parliament was available for comment.