November 10, 2006

leading scientists pay tribute to Lord Sainsbury

The UK Science Minister, Lord Sainsbury of Turville has resigned today “to return to his charitable work”.

Dr Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said:

“David Sainsbury has been good for science and good for innovation in the UK. He has been an outstanding science minister and shown extraordinary passion and commitment to his portfolio. The Wellcome Trust thanks him for his support for science.”

Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive, Medical Research Council, said:

“Lord Sainsbury’s long and successful period as Science Minister has been characterised by his irrepressible love of science. He will be remembered fondly as the scientists’ Minister of Science.

“Lord Sainsbury has led British science through a period of increased funding and remarkable achievement, raising even further its influence and impact throughout the world.

“He has trusted the scientific community to manage its own affairs, but has inspired a real commitment to the rapid translation of science into public benefit.

“He is hugely respected by researchers for his courage in defending science through a series of challenging public debates – particularly on stem cells and the use of animals in research.

“Thank you, David Sainsbury, for being the champion for British science.”

Philip Greenish, Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“Lord Sainsbury has been an outstanding Minister of Science and Innovation. His belief in and support for UK engineering and for high quality science and engineering education have been inspirational over many years. We owe him a great debt of gratitude for his role in transforming attitudes and in creating recognition of the crucial importance of science and engineering to the nation’s future.”

Baroness Susan Greenfield, Director of the Royal Institution, said:

“Lord Sainsbury has championed science in all its aspects. He will be particularly remembered for highlighting the need for the private sector to link up with research in universities which has enabled us to leverage the basic science into applications that can offer benefits to society.

“On a personal level he has been wonderfully helpful to me and the Royal Institution and was one of the great supporters of the concept of us setting up the now acclaimed Science Media Centre.”

Dr Peter Cotgreave, Director of The Campaign for Science and Engineering, said:

“David Sainsbury has been unusual among Science Ministers because he actually wanted the job, rather than seeing the role as a stepping stone to a higher office. He has earned the respect of the science and engineering community by showing real interest in our work and presiding over unprecedented increases in the science budget. Significant challenges remain and we look forward to working with David’s successor on addressing these.”

Sir Richard Sykes, Rector of Imperial College London, said:

“He’s the science minister who has taken the deepest interest in his job and that’s because science is in his blood and he is so passionate about the subject. He certainly didn’t do it for the money and he isn’t a career politician.

“He did it because he wanted to, because he really believes in the importance of science and innovation for our economy and he’s been a beacon for that in government.

“He has always been exceptionally engaged with the community, always happy to come out and visit researchers in laboratories or get out in the field to see what is really going on – nothing has ever been too much trouble for him.

“He’s been very measured and well balanced which is hard at times in the roughhouse of Government but he hasn’t resorted to screaming and shouting. His legacy is really very good and he’ll be a difficult act to follow.”

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society, said:

“We’ve been fortunate to have a long-serving science minister with such outstanding commitment and credentials. David Sainsbury has earned the respect of the scientific community – across all parties – for his dedication and achievements. He has been a fine ambassador for UK science around the world.”