Christian charity CARE has paid tribute to Lord Mackay as he stands down as a member of the House of Lords.

The 95-year-old has first made a peer in 1979 by the Conservative Party and took on the role of Lord Chancellor under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Throughout his time in parliament, he has campaigned on several issues relating to his Christian faith.

In his final speech in the Lords, he said: “I believe that I have been sustained until now by answers to what we pray at our opening every day.”

Paying tribute, CARE’s James Mildred said: “Lord Mackay has been a faithful presence in the House of Lords where his wisdom, kindness and intellectual abilities have been noted by all.

“CARE’s been immensely privileged to work with Lord Mackay on a wider variety of causes, perhaps especially in relation to our work on reforming the tax system so it better recognises families.

“We are deeply grateful for his strong Christian witness in the House of Lords, and we all wish him well in his retirement.

"For any Christian serving in public life, his is undoubtedly a superb example to follow."