GBGB chief Bird leads tributes after death of Lord Lipsey at 77
GBGB chief executive Mark Bird has led the tributes to former British Greyhound Racing Board chairman Lord David Lipsey who has died aged 77.
Bird said: “Lord Lipsey was a very prominent supporter of the sport and a passionate retired greyhound owner.
"With his ability to work across political parties he was able to pull together considerable support in both sides of the House.
"His appointment in 2018, by the then Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch, to intervene in the discussions between the BGRF/ GBGB and the bookmakers as to the inclusion of on-line gambling contributions to greyhound racing, eventually helped us through the impasse to subsequently benefiting from increased funding.
“David was a staunch socialist and he was an extremely principled man. These principles however, meant that I had to intervene at the GBGB Awards in Brighton in 2024, when he tried to remonstrate with protestors outside the hotel, insisting that he could placate them if only he could speak with them.
"He got the better of me however, at the same awards, when knowing that I told him that there wasn’t time enough for him to speak on the stage, he nonetheless took to it and gave an impromptu speech about how there would be no ban on greyhound racing whilst he was still serving. Let us all hope that his legacy on this matter and others will endure!
“Lord Lipsey, as a politician and resilient friend to greyhound racing will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with Margaret and his family.”
Lord Lipsey served as inaugural chairman of Premier Greyhound Racing and PGR MD Garry Nash, said: "Everyone at Premier Greyhound Racing is deeply saddened at the passing of Lord David Lipsey.
"David had a great love for the greyhound, and for greyhound racing as a whole. This love started when he first went racing and then continued and developed as he took home his first greyhound.
"His enthusiasm for all things greyhound racing was infectious and he commanded great respect throughout his career in the sport.
"Our condolences to Margaret and his family with whom he loved spending time at his home in Wales".
Former MP and current chairman of Star Sports Sir Philip Davies paid his own tribute via social media site 'X' saying: "David was a very dear friend who I worked very closely with (across the political aisle) on a number of causes.
"He was a great champion of both horseracing and greyhound racing, and both sports have lost a true ally and supporter. I will miss him."
Jim Cremin, former Racing Post Greyhound Editor, said: "Lord Lipsey could and did make things happen. When I first heard he was interested in taking a position in the sport, I recall being surprised and delighted.
“This was a genuine 'Premier League player' at the top table who turned out to genuinely like greyhounds and going racing.
“Welfare was always a particular priority for him and he encouraged a positive relationship with the betting industry that helped the Fund at the time grow.
“We were fortunate to enjoy his support for so many years. My deepest condolences to his family."