Jeffrey Archer, novelist and ex-MP jailed for perjury, dies at 86, publisher says

Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling novelist and former Conservative MP who was jailed for perjury, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said.

HarperCollins said Archer died "suddenly and peacefully" at home, between writing sessions, on Monday. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a cause of death or any statement from his family.

His new novel, Adam and Eve, was due to be published this week. According to the Guardian, the date is Tuesday 6 October. On Sunday, Archer signed books at an event with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth at the Leicester Square Theatre in London, HarperCollins said. He had been due to discuss the book at the Cheltenham festival. According to the BBC, HarperCollins said the book is set to be released this week. The reports do not say whether the festival appearance will go ahead.

Archer sold more than 300 million books. His first novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1976. His works include Kane and Abel (1979).

He was elected MP for Louth, in Lincolnshire, in 1969 and served about five years. According to the Guardian and the BBC, he left parliament in 1974 after losses on a fraudulent investment scheme involving a Canadian company.

Margaret Thatcher appointed him deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in 1985. In October 1986, the News of the World published a story involving a £2,000 payment to a sex worker, linked to Archer. Monica Coghlan was the woman at the centre of the allegations. In a 1987 libel action against the Star newspaper, Archer was awarded £500,000 in damages.

He was later convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice, after it was found that he had lied in that case. He was sentenced to four years in prison. He was released in 2003 and returned to the House of Lords until he retired in 2024.

According to the Guardian, then-Conservative leader William Hague expelled him from the party when the allegations broke.

Archer is survived by his wife, Mary, and two sons.

What is disputed

• One BBC News article says Archer became party chairman. A separate BBC obituary and the Guardian say deputy chairman.
• The Guardian says bankruptcy ended his time as a sitting MP. The BBC says he was threatened with bankruptcy but reached an agreement with creditors.
• The Cheltenham date differs: later in the month (Guardian), this week (South China Morning Post) or Saturday (BBC).

What each side says

Kate Elton, HarperCollins UK chief executive and his editor, called him "the master storyteller and an editor's dream", the Guardian reported. Brandreth wrote on X that Archer "said it was to be his last" novel. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: "I am incredibly saddened to hear this news." Former minister Nadhim Zahawi called him "a dear friend and an extraordinary human being". The Guardian quoted Hague as saying: "I will not tolerate such behaviour in my party."

Analysis

Archer's death comes as his final novel reaches readers, which may draw renewed attention to both his commercial success and his conviction. Tributes so far come mainly from his publisher, a broadcaster and Conservative figures. Wider assessments may weigh his literary record against his political career and imprisonment. Several factual points remain unresolved in the reports, including his exact party role and the circumstances of his 1974 departure from parliament. Future accounts may clarify these. Plans for the festival appearance are also unclear. Readers may want to watch for confirmation from HarperCollins or the festival organisers.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.