Jeffrey Archer, bestselling novelist and former politician, dies at 86

• Bestselling British novelist and former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said

• Archer sold over 300 million books, with hits including Kane & Abel and The Clifton Chronicles; his final novel Adam and Eve is being released posthumously

• His political career was marred by a 2001 perjury conviction and prison sentence, but he later returned to the House of Lords and continued writing until his death

Bestselling British novelist and former Conservative politician Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins announced on Monday. He died “suddenly and peacefully” at his home, between writing sessions.

Archer, whose five-decade writing career produced more than 300 million book sales worldwide, was best known for bestselling novels including Kane & Abel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less and The Clifton Chronicles. His final novel, Adam and Eve, is due to be published on 6 October, a day after his death.

Born in London on 15 April 1940, Archer spent much of his childhood in Somerset. He entered politics in 1969 when he was elected Conservative MP for Louth, serving in the House of Commons for five years before rising to become deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher.

His political career was later overshadowed by a major legal scandal. Archer was convicted in 2001 of perjury and perverting the course of justice after a jury found that he had lied during a libel case against the Daily Star. He was sentenced to four years in prison and released in 2003. He later returned to the House of Lords, where he served until retiring in 2024.

Despite the controversy, Archer maintained a highly successful literary career. His debut novel, Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less, was published in 1976, followed by Kane & Abel in 1979. His later works included The Clifton Chronicles and the William Warwick series.

Archer remained active in the final days of his life. On Sunday, just a day before his death, he appeared at Leicester Square Theatre in London with broadcaster Gyles Brandreth, signing books and discussing his final novel. Brandreth described him as being in “wonderful, ebullient form” and said he remained a great storyteller to the end.

He had also recently returned to Wellington School in Somerset, where he spoke about inspiring the next generation of readers and writers. He was due to appear at the Cheltenham Literature Festival later this week to discuss Adam and Eve.

HarperCollins UK CEO and Archer's longtime editor Kate Elton paid tribute to him as a “master storyteller”, praising his work ethic and commitment to repeatedly refining his manuscripts.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch described his death as a “huge shock”, while former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi called Archer a “dear friend and extraordinary human being”, praising his wit, warmth and energy.

Archer is survived by his wife, Dame Mary Archer, whom he married in 1966, their two sons and five grandchildren. The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary earlier this year.

With agency inputs