The trustees and staff of the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation learned with sadness of the death of Robert Key, the former MP for Salisbury and Minister for Sport, on the 3rd February at the age of 77.
Robert served as a trustee of the Foundation from 2012 to 2013 and also as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Edward from 1984 to 1985.
It was Robert who suggested to Heath that he should look at Arundells when the house came on to the market in 1985. Sir Edward fell in love with it and immediately bought it, and so began his association with Salisbury and the Cathedral Close.
Key and Heath remained friends until the latter’s death in 2005. Robert and his wife Susan were regular visitors to Arundells and joined many lunches and dinners at the house.
The trustees and staff of the Foundation extend their deepest condolences to Robert’s widow, Susan, their son Adam, and two daughters, Sophy & Helen. We pay tribute to his life of service to the people of Salisbury, including as their Member of Parliament for twenty seven years. We thank Robert for his support of Sir Edward both as his PPS and as a trustee of his Foundation. May he rest in peace.
Image: Salisbury City Council