This article is about the contemporary politician. For the president of the Court of Session see James Robertson, Baron Robertson

George Robertson pictured at The Pentagon in June 2001

George Islay MacNeill Robertson, Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, KT, GCMG, FRSA, PC (born 12 April 1946, in Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Scotland) was the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, between October 1999 and early January 2004; he succeeded Javier Solana in that position.

He served as Defence Secretary for the United Kingdom from 1997 to 1999, before taking up his NATO position and becoming a life peer as Baron Robertson of Port Ellen, of Islay in Argyll and Bute.

Early life

He was educated at Dunoon Grammar School and later the University of Dundee, graduating in 1968 with a Master's degree (M.A.) in Economics. He is the father of three children, they are called Malcom, Martin and Rachel. He married Sandra on 1 June 1970. Robertson survived a serious car crash in January 1977 with a Navy Land Rover carrying 100lb of gelignite and a box of detonators, which hit his car head-on in the Drumochter Pass, leaving him with two wrecked knees and a broken jaw. Robertson was wearing a seat belt at the time and attributes his survival to this factor.

Political career

He was six times elected to the United Kingdom House of Commons, was Chairman of the Labour Party in Scotland, and was appointed to the Privy Council.^[1]

Infamous quote on devolution

Robertson infamously said that "Devolution will kill Nationalism stone dead"^[2] while he was Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland before the 1997 General Election. This quote was designed to assuage fears that devolution would provide a greater platform for the SNP. Robertson's quote has been frequently recalled (usually in a mocking fashion), particularly after the SNP's victory in the 2007 Scottish election.

Allegations surrounding the Dunblane massacre

In 2003, the Sunday Herald newspaper ran an article entitled "Should the Dunblane dossier be kept secret?", a reference to documents relating to the Cullen Inquiry into the 1996 Dunblane massacre which are to remain classified for 100 years. In a discussion board on the newspaper's website, anonymous contributors claimed that Robertson had signed a recommendation for a gun licence for Thomas Hamilton in his capacity as his MP. In fact, Robertson had never been the gunman's MP, and the claims were totally unfounded. Robertson successfully sued the newspaper. The case became in important test case as to whether publishers can be held responsible for comments posted on their websites.^{[3] [4]}

After NATO

He has received numerous honours (including a total of 11 Honorary doctorates from various universities). Currently he holds directorships of several notable companies, including the Weir group and Cable and Wireless in his home country.

Career

• 1968–1978, Official of the GMB Union for the Scottish whisky industry.
• 1978–1999, Member of the United Kingdom House of Commons, member for Hamilton or Hamilton South, elected six times.
• 1979, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Social Services.
• 1979–?, Opposition Spokesman on Scottish Affairs.
•  ?–?, Opposition Spokesman on Defence.
• 1982–1993, Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs.
• 1983–?, Chief Opposition Spokesman on Europe.
• 1993–1997, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland.
• May 1997, Appointed to the Privy Council
• 1997 – October 1999, Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom
• August 1999, selected as 10th Secretary General of NATO and Chairman of the North Atlantic Council, taking office in October 1999.

Other former or present posts

• Member of the Scottish National Party (SNP)^[5]
• Chairman of the Labour Party in Scotland
• Vice-chairman of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy
• Vice-Chairman of the British Council for nine years
• Vice-Chairman of the Britain/Russia Centre
• Member of the Council of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) seven years, now President
• Member of the Pilgrims Society
• Governor of the Ditchley Foundation
• Trustee of the 21st Century Trust
• Patron to the British-American Project
• Currently serves on the Board of Cable & Wireless International

Honours and Awards

• 4th recipient of the Hanno R. Ellenbogen Citizenship Award
• 30 November 2004 – Knight of the Order of the Thistle
• 12 November 2003 – Presidential Medal of Freedom (United States)
• 8 September 2003 – Ridder Grootkruis in de Orde van Oranje Nassau (Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Orange-Nassau).
• 2003 – Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
• 2000 – Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania
• 24 August 1999 – created a life peer as Baron Robertson of Port Ellen.
• 1993 – joint Parliamentarian of the Year for his role in the Maastricht Treaty ratification
• 1991 – Grand Cross of the German Order of Merit
• Honorary Regimental Colonel of the London Scottish (Volunteers)
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Paisley (awarded 5 July 2006)
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Dundee
• Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bradford
• Honorary Doctorate from Cranfield University (Royal Military College of Science)
• Honorary Doctorate from the Baku State University, Azerbaijan
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE)
• Elder Brother of Trinity House.
• 2003 - Atlantic Solidarity Award bestowed by the Manfred Wörner Foundation

References

Secretaries General of NATO
Hastings Ismay | Paul-Henri Spaak | Dirk Stikker | Manlio Brosio | Joseph Luns | Peter Carington | Manfred Wörner | Sergio Balanzino | Willy Claes | Sergio Balanzino | Javier Solana | George Robertson | Jaap de Hoop Scheffer

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