1. 7 updates

Tributes to late Labour Minister

Labour leader Ed Miliband and his predecessor Gordon Brown have led tributes to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks. The Croydon North MP, who had been diagnosed with cancer last year, has died at the age of 65.

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Tory praise for 'champion of Croydon'

The leader of the Tory-led Croydon Council, Mike Fisher, paid tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks.

Malcolm Wicks was a dedicated constituency MP, a champion of Croydon and a thoroughly decent man who was always considered in his opinions and polite in delivering them. He worked with councils of both political persuasions in the interest of the town and was a pragmatic and responsible politician. He will be a hard act to follow.

Malcolm battled his illness with dignity, courage and a determination to continue representing his constituents. He will be missed by everyone in Croydon. I will miss him personally and I pass on my condolences to his wife and his family.

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Blair remembers Malcolm Wicks as a 'wonderful colleague'

Mr Wicks had "complete integrity in all he did", Mr Blair has said. Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Archive

Tony Blair has added his tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks.

"Malcolm was a wonderful colleague. I worked closely with him for many years," the former Prime Minister said.

"He had a very basic principle that guided his life: to do what he could for others, to serve, to be committed and to work hard for causes that were always about helping those who needed it most," he continued.

Mr Blair added: "He had complete integrity in all he did and both as an MP for Croydon and a minister was immensely popular across the political divide. He will be greatly missed."

Energy Sec: Malcolm Wicks commanded 'huge respect'

Energy Secretary Ed Davey has paid tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks, who has died at the age of 65. Mr Davey said:

This is very sad news, and my thoughts are with Malcolm's family at this time. As well as being a respected parliamentarian, Malcolm's knowledge and passion on energy issues commanded huge respect, and we are all the poorer for his passing.

Cross-party tributes to late MP Malcolm Wicks

Conservatives Eric Pickles and Gavin Barwell, the MP for Malcolm Wicks' neighbouring constituency, joined former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in paying tribute to the former energy minister.

Malcolm Wicks was a 'great minister' says Gordon Brown

Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown tonight said:

Tonight we mourn the passing of Malcolm Wicks, who was a great thinker, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian.

He was a passionate advocate of social justice, a conscientious constituency MP and a great minister throughout the Labour Government.

I talked to him during his long period of ill-health and I marvelled at his courage and tenacity in fighting his illness. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family.

– Gordon Brown

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Former Labour energy minister dies aged 65

Malcolm Wicks Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Images

Labour leader Ed Miliband has paid tribute to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks, who died today aged 65.

The Croydon North MP, who had been fighting cancer, was praised as a "thoroughly decent, intelligent and compassionate man" whose death left a "huge hole" in the party.

"He was a brilliant energy minister, he was a deep thinker about welfare and pensions, and Labour to his core," Mr Miliband said.

"Malcolm was also a dedicated constituency MP, always putting the needs of his Croydon constituents first. He was a brilliant campaigner.

"I have lost a wise confidant and most importantly a dear friend and the Labour Party has lost one of its sharpest thinkers. Our thoughts go to Malcolm's wife, Margaret, and his family."

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