FRED Corbett, a former director of information at the Scottish Office,
has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 62.
A journalist who started his career in his native Belfast, Mr Corbett
headed a staff of more than 50 people in the Scottish Office information
directorate from 1981 until his retirement in 1992.
During that period he worked for three successive Scottish secretaries
-- George Younger, Malcolm Rifkind, and Ian Lang -- and was responsible
for advising on presentation and publicity to the Secretary of State.
Mr Corbett began his career in journalism in Northern Ireland with the
Belfast Telegraph until 1959, when he became head of news and current
affairs at Ulster Television.
He remained in that post until 1967 when he joined the Government at
the Northern Ireland Office as chief press officer. There he worked for
six Northern Ireland Secretaries, including Roy Mason.
Mr Corbett, who had a reputation as a model professional, spent much
of his time working in London where he had a close relationship with the
parliamentary lobby and was a confidant of Margaret Thatcher's former
press secretary Bernard Ingham.
One Scottish Office spokesman said yesterday: ''He was a professional
to his fingertips, with a rare management style and an unfailing
courtesy which endeared him to all.''
Awarded the CVO -- a personal award from the Queen -- in recognition
of his services last year, he never fully retired and was involved in
public relations consultancy work.
He also played an active role in the life of the community in Temple,
Midlothian, where he lived, and enjoyed cinema, theatre, Gilbert and
Sullivan, and walking.
He is survived by his wife Lila, son Paul, and daughters Gail and
Kerry.
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