FIONA Mactaggart, the Glasgow-born former Labour MP, has been appointed to chair the Fawcett Society, the UK’s leading women's rights group.
After 20 years as the MP for Slough, Ms Mactaggart, who comes from a long line of politicians, stood down at the 2017 General Election, and takes over from Belinda Phipps.
Her father, the late Sir Ian Mactaggart, was a multimillionaire Glasgow property developer, Conservative candidate and Eurosceptic.
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Her mother's father, Sir Herbert Williams, was a Conservative MP for 27 years. Her great-grandfather was Sir John Mactaggart, the first treasurer of the first branch of Keir Hardie's Labour Party.
Ms Mactaggart, 64, was once described as the second richest Labour MP after her father left her a fifth of his £6.5m estate. She is still thought to have homes in London and on the Isle of Islay.
Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, said: "Fiona Mactaggart is a committed feminist and someone who has always fought for women's rights.
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"It is an honour to have her as our chair and we are really looking forward to working with her to strengthen Fawcett's voice and impact in the years ahead. We couldn't wish for a stronger voice for women and champion of equality."
Ms Mactaggart said: "I am proud to take on this role in the centenary year of the first success in the campaign for women's votes, launched by Millicent Fawcett."
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