The former Labour minister Phil Woolas, who served in the governments of both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, has died at the age of 66.
Woolas, who had brain cancer, held several ministerial roles including for local government, environment and immigration and served as MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth between 1997 and 2010.
Paying tribute, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said he was an “outstanding” member of the New Labour government.
His family and close friends said in a statement: “For more than a year he battled the brain cancer, glioblastoma. He leaves his wife Tracey, his sons Josh and Jed and a new grandson, and many friends and former colleagues who will all miss him greatly.”