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| Labour MP Gerald Kaufman dies at 86 | Labour MP Gerald Kaufman dies at 86 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Sir Gerald Kaufman, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of the House of Commons, has died aged 86. | Sir Gerald Kaufman, Labour MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of the House of Commons, has died aged 86. |
| His family made the announcement late on Sunday, calling him "a great socialist and parliamentarian". | His family made the announcement late on Sunday, calling him "a great socialist and parliamentarian". |
| Sir Gerald, who was the oldest serving MP, famously called his party's left-wing 1983 election manifesto "the longest suicide note in history". | Sir Gerald, who was the oldest serving MP, famously called his party's left-wing 1983 election manifesto "the longest suicide note in history". |
| Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes to him, calling him an "iconic and irascible figure". | Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn led tributes to him, calling him an "iconic and irascible figure". |
| Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "There was no one quite like Gerald Kaufman: a brilliant speaker, a compelling writer, an acerbic wit and a conscientious constituency MP. | |
| "With his sharp insights, he not only penned many famous lines but gave the wisest of advice to Labour leaders who relied upon him throughout his 47 years in Westminster." | |
| A family spokesman confirmed he had been suffering from a long-term illness. | A family spokesman confirmed he had been suffering from a long-term illness. |
| 'Committed' MP | 'Committed' MP |
| Sir Gerald became an MP in north-west England in 1970, first for the Manchester Ardwick constituency and then for Manchester Gorton, which he had served since 1983. | Sir Gerald became an MP in north-west England in 1970, first for the Manchester Ardwick constituency and then for Manchester Gorton, which he had served since 1983. |
| He was a junior minister between 1974 and 1979, and held a number of senior shadow cabinet posts through the 1980s, before returning to the backbenches in the early 1990s. | He was a junior minister between 1974 and 1979, and held a number of senior shadow cabinet posts through the 1980s, before returning to the backbenches in the early 1990s. |
| A family spokesman said: "Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action. | A family spokesman said: "Sir Gerald dedicated his life to serving those who he believed would benefit most from a Labour government and Labour values in action. |
| "He believed that policy and principle without power were simply not enough to deliver the better life that he fought for on behalf of his constituents for almost 50 years. | "He believed that policy and principle without power were simply not enough to deliver the better life that he fought for on behalf of his constituents for almost 50 years. |
| "[Throughout his illness], he remained firmly committed to, and focused on, the activities and wellbeing of his beloved constituency." | "[Throughout his illness], he remained firmly committed to, and focused on, the activities and wellbeing of his beloved constituency." |
| 'Persistent interrogator' | 'Persistent interrogator' |
| By BBC obituary editor Nick Serpell | By BBC obituary editor Nick Serpell |
| Gerald Kaufman rose from a working-class background to become one of the longest-serving MPs of his generation. | Gerald Kaufman rose from a working-class background to become one of the longest-serving MPs of his generation. |
| He gained a reputation as a persistent, often waspish, interrogator whose withering putdowns became a feature of his time in Parliament. | He gained a reputation as a persistent, often waspish, interrogator whose withering putdowns became a feature of his time in Parliament. |
| A practising Jew, he was best known for his fierce opposition to the policies of the Israeli government and its treatment of the Palestinians. | A practising Jew, he was best known for his fierce opposition to the policies of the Israeli government and its treatment of the Palestinians. |
| Possessed of a sardonic wit, he was a prolific writer and columnist who also wrote satirical sketches for the BBC, an organisation that he later frequently criticised. | Possessed of a sardonic wit, he was a prolific writer and columnist who also wrote satirical sketches for the BBC, an organisation that he later frequently criticised. |
| Read more in Gerald Kaufman's obituary | Read more in Gerald Kaufman's obituary |
| Sir Gerald was a member of the Jewish Labour Movement and was known for his criticism of Israel, calling senior politicians from the country "war criminals" in 2002. | Sir Gerald was a member of the Jewish Labour Movement and was known for his criticism of Israel, calling senior politicians from the country "war criminals" in 2002. |
| Mr Corbyn said: "Gerald came from a proud Jewish background. He always wanted to bring peace to the Middle East and it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries. | Mr Corbyn said: "Gerald came from a proud Jewish background. He always wanted to bring peace to the Middle East and it was my pleasure to travel with him to many countries. |
| "He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship." | "He loved life and politics. I will deeply miss him, both for his political commitment and constant friendship." |
| Former leader Ed Miliband said he was "an outstanding servant of the Labour movement", adding: "His principles, values and friendship will be sorely missed." | |
| Tributes from across the political spectrum have been paid to Sir Gerald. | Tributes from across the political spectrum have been paid to Sir Gerald. |
| Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell tweeted: "Sad to hear of Gerald Kaufman's death. He was a tremendously dedicated servant of his constituency and our party. A man of absolute principle." | Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell tweeted: "Sad to hear of Gerald Kaufman's death. He was a tremendously dedicated servant of his constituency and our party. A man of absolute principle." |
| Commons Speaker John Bercow called him an "outstanding representative" and a "passionate campaigner for social justice, here in Britain and around the world". | Commons Speaker John Bercow called him an "outstanding representative" and a "passionate campaigner for social justice, here in Britain and around the world". |
| Former Labour shadow minister Chuka Umunna tweeted: "Very sad to hear of Sir Gerald's death. A true Labour man and one of the most eloquent parliamentarians. Thoughts are with his family." | Former Labour shadow minister Chuka Umunna tweeted: "Very sad to hear of Sir Gerald's death. A true Labour man and one of the most eloquent parliamentarians. Thoughts are with his family." |
| Conservative MP Michelle Donelan MP said: "So sad to hear that Sir Gerald Kaufman MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of The House of Commons, has passed away." | Conservative MP Michelle Donelan MP said: "So sad to hear that Sir Gerald Kaufman MP for Manchester Gorton and Father of The House of Commons, has passed away." |
| And Tory MP Peter Heaton-Jones tweeted: "Sad to hear that Sir Gerald Kaufman, Father of the House of Commons, has died. Extraordinary public service: 47 years an MP." | And Tory MP Peter Heaton-Jones tweeted: "Sad to hear that Sir Gerald Kaufman, Father of the House of Commons, has died. Extraordinary public service: 47 years an MP." |