Lord David Waddington, who successfully campaigned against legislation which threatened to criminalise criticism of homosexuality, has died at the age of 87.
Deputy Director for Public Affairs at the Christian Institute, Simon Calvert, told Premier about his role in the House of Lords, explaining: "He would envoke our Christian heritage.
"He would feel keenly when he felt there was injustice against Christians, as the laws started to change and as equality law, sadly, started to get twisted out of a shape."
The Lancashire-born barrister turned politician secured the 'Waddington ammendment' which stopped "the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices" from being included in hate crime legislation.
Former prime minister Sir John Major said: "Throughout David Waddington's long career, he was a man whose opinions mattered both to the Government and to his Parliamentary colleagues.
"As Chief Whip, and later Home Secretary, he was one of the pillars of the Conservative Party, whose contribution was invaluable and wide ranging."
After serving as Margaret Thatcher's last home secretary, Lord Waddington was created a life peer in 1990, following her removal.
— Christian Institute (@christianorguk) February 24, 2017
Simon Calvert went on to say: "He was a tireless defender of Christian freedom and of our Christian heritage. He was an extremely skillful and effective parliamentary operators. He was very persuasive."
Remembered as a hard-line and no-nonsense right wing politician, Lord Waddington supported capital punishment and opposed the weakening of cannabis laws.
Simon Calvert added: "He felt very strongly that, historically, the Christian faith had given to Britain very many of its best qualities; it's love of freedom and tolerance, it's committment to the family..."
Lord Waddington was also responsible for the decision to bring the case of the Birmingham Six to the Court of Appeal, where their convictions for IRA bombings at two pubs were later quashed.
Click here to listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking with Simon Calvert at the Christian Institute: