Michael Williams (1949)
British UN diplomat and Labour special adviser (1949–2017); former director of BBC Media Action
| Michael Williams | |
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| Born | June 1949 |
| Died | April 2017 |
| Nationality | British |
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| Occupation | UN official; special adviser; member of the House of Lords (2010–2017) |
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Michael Charles Williams, Lord Williams of Baglan (June 1949 – April 2017) was a British United Nations official, Labour special adviser and crossbench life peer. He is not the Michael Williams of the Royal United Services Institute. He sat in the House of Lords from 23 July 2010 until his death on 23 April 2017.[1] Companies House records him as a director of BBC Media Action, a CSSF contractor, from 7 September 2005 to 20 April 2009.[2]
Career
The Guardian’s obituary says he worked for the BBC World Service and Amnesty International before running the UN mission's radio station in Cambodia and serving as spokesman for the UN Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia. It says that in 2000 he "moved to Whitehall ... as special adviser to the foreign secretary, Robin Cook", and that Jack Straw kept him on in 2001. His role in Lebanon between 2006 and 2011 after the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah war was "the culmination of his role as an effective, if largely unsung, troubleshooter for the UN".[3] The Independent said he advised three foreign secretaries, Robin Cook, Jack Straw and David Miliband. It said that, although "initially in favour of the war in Iraq", he became "increasingly concerned" about the lack of post-war planning.[4]
Notes
- ↑ UK Parliament, The Lord Williams of Baglan: membership record UK Parliament Members API, accessed 17 October 2026.
- ↑ Companies House, Michael Charles WILLIAMS: personal appointments Companies House, accessed 16 October 2026.
- ↑ Alan Philps, The Guardian, Lord Williams of Baglan obituary The Guardian, 2 May 2017.
- ↑ Ben Williams, The Independent, Obituary: Lord Williams of Baglan, academic and human rights campaigner who opposed Blair on Iraq The Independent, 3 May 2017.