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PUP's Ervine has died in hospital | PUP's Ervine has died in hospital |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine has died in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. | Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine has died in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. |
Mr Ervine was taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home on Sunday. He later had a stroke and a brain haemorrhage. | Mr Ervine was taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home on Sunday. He later had a stroke and a brain haemorrhage. |
Mr Ervine, who was 53, was a key figure in brokering the loyalist paramilitary ceasefire of 1994. | Mr Ervine, who was 53, was a key figure in brokering the loyalist paramilitary ceasefire of 1994. |
In a statement on Monday afternoon, his family said he had "passed away quietly with peace and dignity". | In a statement on Monday afternoon, his family said he had "passed away quietly with peace and dignity". |
"The family would like to thank the Royal Victoria staff for all that they've done," they added. | "The family would like to thank the Royal Victoria staff for all that they've done," they added. |
Mr Ervine was originally taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald but was then transferred to the intensive care unit at the RVH. | Mr Ervine was originally taken to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald but was then transferred to the intensive care unit at the RVH. |
The PUP leader had been an assembly member for East Belfast since 1998 and also represented the Pottinger area in Belfast City Council. | The PUP leader had been an assembly member for East Belfast since 1998 and also represented the Pottinger area in Belfast City Council. |
'Persuader' | 'Persuader' |
Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was very sorry to hear of Mr Ervine's death. | Prime Minister Tony Blair said he was very sorry to hear of Mr Ervine's death. |
"David was a man who, whatever his past, played a major part in this last 10 years in trying to bring peace to Ulster," Mr Blair said. | "David was a man who, whatever his past, played a major part in this last 10 years in trying to bring peace to Ulster," Mr Blair said. |
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the PUP leader had been a courageous politician. | Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said the PUP leader had been a courageous politician. |
"David Ervine had travelled his own difficult journey to democratic politics but he made that journey," Mr Ahern said. | "David Ervine had travelled his own difficult journey to democratic politics but he made that journey," Mr Ahern said. |
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said Mr Ervine was a "talented, courageous and an honest politician". | Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said Mr Ervine was a "talented, courageous and an honest politician". |
"He wanted to solve problems not simply restate them, always looking for a way forward," Mr Hain said. | "He wanted to solve problems not simply restate them, always looking for a way forward," Mr Hain said. |
Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Northern Ireland had lost "a unique, charismatic and uncharacteristically spin-free politician". | Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said Northern Ireland had lost "a unique, charismatic and uncharacteristically spin-free politician". |
"He realised that violence belonged in the past and was keen to play his part in helping loyalists make the transition towards exclusively peaceful and democratic means," Sir Reg said. | "He realised that violence belonged in the past and was keen to play his part in helping loyalists make the transition towards exclusively peaceful and democratic means," Sir Reg said. |
'Character' | 'Character' |
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams he was shocked by Mr Ervine's death. | Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams he was shocked by Mr Ervine's death. |
"He made a valuable and important contribution to moving our society away from conflict," Mr Adams said. | "He made a valuable and important contribution to moving our society away from conflict," Mr Adams said. |
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, the MP for East Belfast, said Mr Ervine was a "staunch defender" of the area. | DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson, the MP for East Belfast, said Mr Ervine was a "staunch defender" of the area. |
"Even those who saw politics from a different angle of vision would openly acknowledge that he genuinely wanted to see a new era of peace and stability in Northern Ireland," he said. | "Even those who saw politics from a different angle of vision would openly acknowledge that he genuinely wanted to see a new era of peace and stability in Northern Ireland," he said. |
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the PUP leader "was a great character and he always showed real character". | SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the PUP leader "was a great character and he always showed real character". |
"While his strong voice will no longer be heard his strong views and values will continue to shape the future for which he worked so hard," Mr Durkan said. | |
The PUP said loyalism had lost its most articulate spokesperson. | |
"Unionism has lost the most progressive voice of this generation. Politics has lost a statesman. Our peace process has lost its mostoptimistic advocate and Ulster has lost a devoted son," a party statement said. | |
Peter Bunting, of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said Mr Ervine was "one of the finest and bravest of his generation". | Peter Bunting, of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said Mr Ervine was "one of the finest and bravest of his generation". |
"All working class people in Ireland and Britain have lost a true friend," Mr Bunting said. | "All working class people in Ireland and Britain have lost a true friend," Mr Bunting said. |
Mr Ervine, who was married with two sons, became the leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smyth. | Mr Ervine, who was married with two sons, became the leader of the PUP in 2002 after replacing Belfast councillor Hugh Smyth. |