Paul Goggins MP has died

Paul Goggins MP

Catholic MP Paul Goggins has died after a short illness. He was 60 years old. Mr Goggins collapsed while out running with his son last week. Mr Goggins was MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, Greater Manchester.

In a statement his family said: "Last night 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."

Born in Manchester, Mr Goggins, trained as a social worker and the ran a children's home. He went on to become director of the Church Action on Poverty campaign group before becoming an MP, also serving as a councillor in Salford.

After entering Parliament he worked as parliamentary private secretary to the then Education Secretary David Blunkett, moving with Mr Blunkett when he was promoted to home secretary. In 2003 he became a Home Office minister, going in 2006 to the Northern Ireland Office.

John Leech, the Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, told the BBC: "This is terribly sad news. Paul was one of the good guys. My condolences go out to all his many family and friends in Manchester, the Labour Party and Parliament."

The Bishop of Salford, Bishop Terence Brain told ICN: "We were very sorry to hear of his death. We knew he had been ill for a few days. He was a good man, who dedicated his life to public service. He had a great sense of justice and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. We wish to convey our synpathy to his family at this sad time."

Archbishop Peter Smith, Vice-President, of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, said: “Paul Goggins was a man of deep faith. His Catholic faith shaped and informed his passion and commitment to politics, and his lifelong vocation to social justice, combating poverty and exclusion. He was an outstanding servant of both Church and society, and his loss will be keenly felt. I will be praying for Paul and his family and I encourage others to do the same at this sad time.”