Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell dies from Covid complications

Joe Biden has paid tribute to Colin Powell as a "warrior and diplomat" as America mourned the death of its first black secretary of state who ditched the Republican party in his latter years.

Mr Powell, a Vietnam veteran who helped lead the US into the Iraq war under George Bush, died aged 84 after contracting Covid-19. The 84-year-old former four-star general was fully vaccinated, but suffering from multiple myeloma - a blood cancer that weakens the body’s immune system. Mr Powell was also suffering from Parkinson's disease, according to CNN.

Mr Biden said: "He embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat.

"Colin Powell was a good man who I was proud to call my friend, and he will be remembered in history as one of our great Americans."

His family said they have lost “a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American”.

George W Bush said: “He was such a favourite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend."

Boris Johnson said: "I am sorry to hear of the death of Colin Powell. He was an impressive and internationally respected statesman. He leaves a lasting legacy and I’m sure his life will continue to be an inspiration to many."

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair added: “Colin was a towering figure in American military and political leadership over many years, someone of immense capability and integrity, a hugely likeable and warm personality and a great companion, with a lovely and self-deprecating sense of humour.

John Major, who was British Prime Minister during the first Gulf War, said: "Colin Powell was one of the finest men I ever met. And, perhaps, one of the finest Americans never to be President."

In an extraordinary career, Mr Powell served in Vietnam, became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H W Bush and Bill Clinton, and was made secretary of state under Republican president George W Bush.

But in recent years, Mr Powell’s support for the party diminished as he backed Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden’s presidential bids.

Historically a moderate Republican and a pragmatist, he became so disillusioned with the party that he called Donald Trump a “liar” on television and a “national disgrace” in leaked emails.

Earlier this year, following the storming of the US Capitol, he told CNN: "I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican.

“I'm not a fellow of anything right now. I'm just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat, throughout my entire career, and right now I'm just watching my country and not concerned with parties."

He completed two tours of duty in Vietnam and quickly rose through the ranks to the pinnacle of the national security establishment, serving Ronald Reagan as national security advisor, and both George H.W Bush and Bill Clinton as chairman of the Joint Chiefs from 1989 to 1993.

Mr Powell oversaw Operation Desert Storm during the first Gulf war, as Iraq annexed Kuwait, and in 1993 The Queen awarded Mr Powell an Honorary Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

It is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a non-British person, and Mr Powell became the first black American to receive an honorary knighthood from Britain.

However, in what he called "a blot" that will "always be a part of my record," Mr Powell was a vociferous supporter of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, insisting that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction - though none were ever found.

Iraqis reacted with indifference to reports of his death last night.

"He lied, lied and lied," said Maryam, a 51-year-old Iraqi writer and mother of two in northern Iraq who spoke on condition her last name not be used because one of her children is studying in the United States.

"He lied, and we are the ones who got stuck with never-ending wars," she added.

Powell resigned as secretary of state in 2005.

A statement on his official Facebook page said yesterday: “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19.

"He was fully vaccinated. We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Centre for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.”

While Mr Powell’s was a rare breakthrough Covid case, infectious disease expert Céline Gounder said: “Yes, he was fully vaccinated, but he was also elderly & immunocompromised.”