12 Facts About Helen Liddell

Helen Lawrie Liddell, Baroness Liddell of Coatdyke PC is a British politician and life peer who served as Secretary of State for Scotland from 2001 to 2003 and British High Commissioner to Australia from 2005 to 2009.

Helen Liddell was educated at St Patrick's Catholic High School in Coatbridge, attending at the same time as John Reid, and graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a BA in Economics.

Helen Liddell worked as a BBC Scotland economics journalist from 1976 to 1977.

Helen Liddell was public affairs director of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, working for media proprietor Robert Maxwell.

Helen Liddell first contested the Parliamentary constituency of East Fife at the October 1974 general election.

Helen Liddell was first elected to Parliament in 1994, at the closely contested Monklands East by-election following John Smith's death.

Helen Liddell was appointed a Privy Councillor on 27 October 1998.

Helen Liddell was Secretary of State for Scotland from 2001 to 2003, a position whose powers had been transferred to the Scottish Executive after devolution in 1999.

Helen Liddell was dubbed Minister for Monarch of the Glen after several visits to the set of the hit BBC series.

Helen Liddell took up appointment as British High Commissioner to Australia in the summer of 2005, and was succeeded in the role by Baroness Amos in October 2009.

Helen Liddell is a member of Labour Friends of Israel.

Helen Liddell married Alistair Liddell in 1972; they have one son and one daughter.