I first knew Roy Mason during the early 1970s, when Labour was in opposition, and he helped in setting up items for the BBC2 programme Westminster, of which I was editor. We met up again 20 years later, during the negotiations leading to the experimental televising of Commons proceedings.
I knew that his hobby was designing and producing special ties, and wanted to arrange one for the BBC team I was leading. He came up with the ideal Commons-green tie, with a TV set containing a portcullis – with the permission of the serjeant at arms, of course.
He enjoyed spending much of his time in the Lords, but back in Barnsley he was increasingly irritated by the continuing 24-hour security team assigned to every former secretary of state for Northern Ireland, occupying a brick building at the end of his garden; Lady Mason was not keen on having to be taken in a bullet-proof Jaguar to do the shopping.
