Former politician and novelist Jeffrey Archer dies aged 86

Former UK politician and author Jeffrey Archer has died aged 86, according to reports from RTE, The Guardian, and The Journal. His publisher, Harper Collins, announced that he died peacefully at his home between writing sessions on October 5, 2026. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Archer served as a Conservative MP for five years before becoming the party deputy chairman, RTE, The Guardian, and The Journal reported. The Journal noted that he was appointed a life peer in 1992. His editor at Harper Collins described him as phenomally hard working. [1][2][3]

RTE and The Journal reported that his political career stalled in 2001 when he was sentenced to four years in prison for perjury and perverting the course of justice. The charges stemmed from a libel lawsuit he brought against The Star newspaper 13 years prior. RTE added that he was released early in 2003 and retired from the House of Lords in 2024. [1][3]

Archer was also a successful author whose books sold over 320 million copies worldwide. His 1979 novel Kane and Abel remains one of the best-selling books in the world, with approximately 34 million copies sold globally. [1][2][3][9]