PAUL Goggins, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, has died.


Mr Goggins passed away last night, January 7, after suffering a suspected brain haemorrhage when he was out running with his son near his home on December 30.


The 60-year-old was taken by ambulance to Salford Royal Hospital, where he died with his family by his side.


Prime Minister David Cameron has led the tributes to Mr Goggins, who served as Minister for Prisons and Probation for two years and Northern Ireland Office Minister from 2007 to 2010.


Mr Cameron said on Twitter: “My thoughts are with the family of Paul Goggins who have been left heartbroken by his death.


“He was liked and respected by MPs on all sides.”


Labour Party leader, Ed Milliband, also said on Twitter: “Paul’s family is devastated by his death. They are not alone.


“We have lost one of our most dignified, humane, wise and loyal MPs.


“People from all sides of the Commons had the greatest affection, admiration and respect for Paul. We are deeply saddened by his passing.”


Mr Goggin’s family, Wyn, Matthew, Theresa and Dominic Goggins, released the following statement:


“Last night (7 Jan) Paul Goggins, our dear dad and husband, died in hospital in Salford with us by his side.


“We are completely heartbroken.


“He had been very ill since collapsing last week.


“The way in which he has been cared for at Salford Royal has been such a comfort to us and we can't thank the staff enough for this.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes we have received from so many people - a real sign of love and a reflection of the sort of person Paul/Dad was.

"We would also like to thank the media for continuing to respect our privacy at such a difficult time.”

Trafford other MPs, Kate Green and Graham Brady also paid tribute.

Mr Brady, MP for Altrincham and Sale West, said; "It was a privilege to serve with Paul in the House of Commons.

"In nearly seventeen years as colleagues of different parties, I don’t think we ever had a cross word.

"Paul Goggins was a dedicated public servant, always willing to work with others for the benefit of the community; he was thoroughly decent, kind and principled.

"Victoria and I send our heartfelt sympathy to Wyn and the family; we will miss him and remember him with the greatest respect and affection."

Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, said: “I am heartbroken to hear of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Paul Goggins.

“MPs of all parties felt a tremendous respect and affection for Paul, and he will be hugely missed in parliament, as well as here in Manchester.

“As the MP for the constituency next to mine, Paul went out of his way to help and support me when I was elected as a new MP in 2010.

“We continued to work together on a whole range of issues, and just this week, I was proud to support proposals in Parliament to improve support for victims of the terrible mesothelioma cancer, on which Paul and I had been working closely before his death. 

"I will miss Paul terribly. All my thoughts and sympathy are with his family at this terrible time.”

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commisioner and former Labour MP, Tony Lloyd, said: “I have lost a good friend, and the world has lost a man of enormous decency and human kindness.


“But of course Paul’s wife, his children and wider family have lost someone who was at the centre of their daily lives and my thoughts go out to them.


“Paul’s own personal faith and moral conviction operated as a guiding light in everything he did, both before he entered politics and as a local councillor, Member of Parliament and Government minister.


“Manchester has lost a great son. Those who are dispossessed and those who are vulnerable in an increasingly unfair society have lost a great champion.


“The only thing Paul and I ever disagreed on was his view, wrongly held, that Manchester City were the better of the two Manchester football clubs.”


Sale Moor councillor, Mike Freeman tweeted: “Extremely sad news about death of #PaulGogginsMP A thoroughly decent man.


“My thoughts with Wyn & his family #RIP.”

 

Tributes on Twitter

 

Really sad to hear about Paul Goggins. People like to slag off MPs but like many of them, he was principled, hard-working, generous and good

— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) January 8, 2014

 

Joining political chums, left & right, & hacks, in praise of Paul Goggins MP, 2 giants of the voluntary sector,@ClareTickell & @martinnarey

— Alastair Stewart (@alstewitn) January 8, 2014

 

Paul Goggins' work as a Minister on double jeopardy legislation was immensely important - made convictions possible in Stephen Lawrence case

— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) January 8, 2014

 

 

So sad to hear of Paul Goggins passing. Our thoughts are with his wife Wynn and their children

— John Prescott (@johnprescott) January 8, 2014

 

Devastating news that we have lost our Paul Goggins. A truly good man, a friend to so many. All love and comfort to his family.

— Alison McGovern (@Alison_McGovern) January 8, 2014

 

Really really sad to hear of Paul Goggins' untimely death last night. A true gent, clever, warm and dedicated.

— Chris Bryant (@ChrisBryantMP) January 8, 2014