Letter: Nigel de Gruchy obituary

. UK edition

Nigel de Gruchy in his study in 1996.
Nigel de Gruchy in his study in 1996. Photograph: Independent/Alamy

Margaret Tulloch writes: I found Nigel de Gruchy to be a principled union leader with an acerbic wit

The trade union leader Nigel de Gruchy may have exhibited “self-opinionated vanity”, but as a parent campaigner in the 1990s, I found him to be a principled man who was supportive of the Campaign for State Education (Case), which I represented with others.

I once went to see him in the Covent Garden office to ask for money for Case to campaign against the 11-plus. He himself supported selection, I think, but he said it was union policy to oppose it, and we got the money.

Another time, on a train journey he apologised for making a press call but said his members needed to know he was working in return for their membership fees. I also enjoyed his acerbic wit and being invited to enjoy the Sancerre at the NASUWT Christmas drinks.