Tributes As Labour MP Malcolm Wicks Dies - Sky News

Former prime ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have led tributes to former energy minister Malcolm Wicks, who has died aged 65.

Mr Brown called the Croydon North MP, who had been fighting cancer, a "great thinker, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian", while Mr Blair said he had "complete integrity in all he did".

Mr Wicks was praised by Labour leader Ed Miliband 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.

"The way he handled his illness tells you everything about the man. He showed huge dignity and also kept on thinking, writing and advising right to the end.

"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."

Mr Wicks represented Croydon in Parliament for two decades, and held a variety of ministerial briefs under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - including pensions, science and energy.

The married father and grandfather stepped down from the government in 2008 and spent two years as the prime minister's special representative on international energy issues. He was also made a member of the Privy Council.

Mr Wicks was re-elected with an increased majority of nearly 16,500 at the 2010 general election.

Politicians from other parties added their voices to the tributes.

Lib Dem Energy Secretary Ed 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."

Tory Communities Secretary Eric Pickles tweeted: "Very sad to learn of the death of Malcolm Wicks, he was a man of great wit and humanity."