David Whitney Erskine Russell, 5th Baron Ampthill (born 27 May 1947) is the son of Geoffrey Russell, 4th Baron Ampthill, and was educated at Stowe School. He currently serves as a councillor on Rye Town Council having been elected in July 2003, and as a Conservative councillor on Rother District Council. He previously served on East Grinstead Town Council and held the post of Mid-Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Community Development.
Before entering politics Russell enjoyed a career in publishing.
With his first wife April McKenzie Arbon he has two daughters. He is currently married to Christia Ipsen, the widow of Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich of Russia.
He succeeded his father as Baron Ampthill in April 2011; the title had been created for his great-great-grandfather, Lord Odo Russell, who represented Britain unofficially at the Vatican and officially at Berlin; Lord Odo's uncle was Lord John Russell, who was twice Prime Minister.
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