Leon Brittan, Baron Brittan of Spennithorne, is a British barrister, politician and former Conservative Member of Parliament, as well as former member of the European Commission.
He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1978. Between 1979 and 1981 he was Minister of State at the Home Office, and then was made Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was Home Secretary from 1983 to 1985, and was then moved to Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
He was knighted in 1989. He was made European Commissioner for Competition at the European Commission early in 1989. In 1995 he became European Commissioner for Trade and European Commissioner for External Affairs, also serving as Vice-President of the European Commission.
He was created Baron Brittan of Spennithorne, of Spennithorne in the County of North Yorkshire in February 2000. He is Vice Chairman of UBS AG Investment Bank, non-executive director of Unilever and member of the international advisory committee for Total.
He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1978. Between 1979 and 1981 he was Minister of State at the Home Office, and then was made Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He was Home Secretary from 1983 to 1985, and was then moved to Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
He was knighted in 1989. He was made European Commissioner for Competition at the European Commission early in 1989. In 1995 he became European Commissioner for Trade and European Commissioner for External Affairs, also serving as Vice-President of the European Commission.
He was created Baron Brittan of Spennithorne, of Spennithorne in the County of North Yorkshire in February 2000. He is Vice Chairman of UBS AG Investment Bank, non-executive director of Unilever and member of the international advisory committee for Total.