The Isle of Wight's MP is paying tribute to former Conservative minister James Brokenshire, who has died aged 53.
The MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup passed away last night, surrounded by his family.
The father of three, a former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018.
He subsequently stood down from his role to undergo treatment, and returned to Government in 2020.
However, he stepped back from his role in January 2021 and resigned in July 2021, after discovering his lung cancer had returned.
Paying tribute to Mr Brokenshire, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely described him as a "good man" who knew the Island well.
He said:
"James was thoroughly decent and kind-hearted.
"He knew the Island and loved it - he had friends here. I am so sorry to hear of his death. He was a good man. My thoughts are with his wife and family."
James was thoroughly decent & kind-hearted. He knew the Island and loved it - he had friends here. I am so sorry to hear of his death. He was a good man. My thoughts are with his wife and family. https://t.co/PwPu8Lgrup
— Bob Seely MP (@IoWBobSeely) October 8, 2021
In a statement, Mr Brokenshire's family said:
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of James Brokenshire MP at the age of 53.
"James died peacefully at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday evening with family members by his bedside. He had been in hospital since Sunday after his condition rapidly deteriorated.
"James was not only a brilliant government minister as both Security and Immigration minister at the Home Office and secretary of state at the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government, but a dedicated constituency MP, first for Hornchurch from 2005 to 2010, and then for Old Bexley & Sidcup for the past 11 years.
"But most importantly, he was a loving father to his three children, a devoted husband to Cathy and a faithful friend to so many."
"We would like to thank all the NHS staff, particularly those at Guy's & St Thomas' in London, who cared for James with such warmth, diligence and professionalism over the past three-and-a-half years," it continued.
"We would also ask that our privacy as a family is respected at this time."
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