David Cairns MP for Inverclyde has died

Tuesday, May 10, 2011.
Posted by Webmaster (webmaster@wemyssbay.net).

Inverclyde Labour MP, David Cairns, has died aged 44. A statement from a Labour spokesperson said on their web site, "It is with great regret that we have to announce that David Cairns, Member of Parliament for Inverclyde, passed away at 11pm last night at the Royal Free, London. David had been suffering from acute pancreatitis after he was admitted as an emergency patient eight weeks ago. Our thoughts are with his partner Dermot, his father John, his brother Billy and all his many friends and family. David's untimely death is a huge loss to parliament and politics in this country."

Duncan McNeil, who was re-elected MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde last week, said, "This is such a huge loss. People are just shell-shocked. David was a colleague and a friend to so many people and highly respected. He was a big talking point in Inverclyde – people were always asking how he was doing these last few weeks. So many people have handed in cards, and I know prayers have been said for him across all faiths. People in Inverclyde were enormously proud to have such a talented and respected MP representing them."

David was first elected MP for the area in 2001. He later became a Scotland Office minister, but resigned from that position in 2008 when rebel MPs were calling for a leadership contest during Gordon Brown's time as Prime Minister.

His death means that a by-election will be held in Inverclyde to choose his successor.

Further information:
Labour Party web site
BBC News - Scotland Politics

David Cairns at Wemyss Bay Gala Day in 2007