Rodney Eric Bainbridge Atkinson, a British political economist and vocal Eurosceptic known for his opposition to the European Union, died on May 30, 2026, at the age of 78. Born in Gosforth, Northumberland, in 1948, Atkinson was the eldest of four sons in a family rooted in farming and local politics. He was also the elder brother of actor Rowan Atkinson.

Atkinson gained public attention in the early 1990s for his unconventional campaign against the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union. In 1993, together with Norris McWhirter, co-founder of the right-wing Freedom Association, he brought a prosecution at Tynedale magistrates' court accusing then-Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd and Minister Francis Maude of treason—a charge carrying the death penalty—over their roles in signing the treaty. The case was later dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service as “misconceived and totally without foundation.” However, Atkinson vowed to continue pursuing the matter, expressing intentions to take it to the Privy Council if necessary.

Throughout his career, Atkinson was known for his detailed study of European integration, reportedly reading the entire Maastricht Treaty during train journeys between London and his home in northeast England. He was critical of government policies that directed funding toward attracting new businesses to the region, arguing instead for support of existing industries.

Atkinson’s writings often linked the European Union to historical fascism and conspiracy theories. In his 1996 book, *Europe’s Full Circle: Corporate Elites and the New Fascism*, he alleged that the EU was founded on fascist principles and was the product of an international conspiracy to dismantle nation states. He claimed that various British political figures and elites participated in secretive meetings aimed at undermining national sovereignty.

Politically, Atkinson was involved with several eurosceptic parties. He stood as a candidate for the Referendum Party in the 1997 general election in North West Durham, earning 5.1% of the vote. In 1999, he was the lead candidate for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in the North East during the European elections, where the party secured 8.8% of the vote. In 2000, he narrowly lost a bid to become UKIP leader, subsequently resigning amid accusations that the party had been “infiltrated by extremists” and criticized its chairman Nigel Farage for mounting a “dirty tricks” campaign. He later founded the Campaign for UK Conservatism and was a member of the group Restore Britain.

Atkinson’s early life included education at Durham Chorister School and St Bees School in Cumbria, followed by studies in German at Newcastle University. He also earned a degree in management studies from Durham University. Professionally, he taught English and linguistics at the University of Mainz, utilizing British comedy as a teaching method. He also worked in banking and ran a conference business, engaging with conservative think tanks such as the Bow Group, where he authored *Making Monetarism Work* in 1981.

Married to Lynn Jennett in 2007, Atkinson remained dedicated to his political beliefs until his death. He maintained that Britain was misguided in its response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and felt that his criticisms of the European Union were often met with ridicule and suspicion.

Rodney Atkinson’s legacy is marked by his combative stance against European integration and his steadfast, if controversial, role in British Euroscepticism. He is survived by his wife Lynn and two brothers, Rupert and Rowan Atkinson.