Labour politician Michael Meacher has died.
He was 75.
Meacher passed away following a short illness yesterday.
Politicians and journalists have paid tribute to the former Oldham West and Royston MP, who was in office from 1970 to 1997.
Meacher held various shadow ministerial positions during his time as an MP, including shadow transport secretary under Tony Blair between 1994 and 1995.
Saddened to hear the news of Michael Meacher's passing. He was a first-rate parliamentarian.
— Alex Salmond (@AlexSalmond) October 21, 2015
Saddened to learn Michael Meacher has died. A principled man who will be hugely missed.
— Jonathan Ashworth MP (@JonAshworth) October 21, 2015
Very sad to hear of the death of Michael Meacher. He was principled, kind, thoughtful and deeply committed to a fairer, more just world.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) October 21, 2015
Extremely sad to hear about Michael Meacher. An independent thinker, Parliamentary reformer, committed campaigner & environmental champion.
— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) October 21, 2015
RIP Michael Meacher. I can't help recalling him appearing as himself in the unforgettable Edge of Darkness. https://t.co/Xm89RB7KEW
— Patrick Harvie (@patrickharvie) October 21, 2015
Very shocked and sad to hear about Michael Meacher. A decent and a principled man who will be much missed. My thoughts are with his family.
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) October 21, 2015
Sad to hear about the death of Labour MP Michael Meacher, 75, who I've interviewed many times and who was always polite and interesting
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) October 21, 2015
Peter Dean, Mr Meacher's PA and office manager, told the Oldham Evening Chronicle: "We are extremely sad and it has been quite a short illness he has had and we just don't know the details at present.
"He was such a well respected person and we will just try to deal with any problems people in the area have ongoing. We will still try to assist in any way we can.
"We are extremely sad for his family but all of his staff here at his office have worked with him for 20 years so it is almost like a family bereavement for us.
"Our office usually deals with around 5,000 cases every year so he has impacted on an enormous amount of people's lives."
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