India-born Labour MP Ashok Kumar dies
India-born Labour MP Ashok Kumar, who was known as a natural fighter and community leader in the UK was on Monday found dead in his house.
Kumar, 53, suffered a "sudden accidental" death, his office has said.
He died in his north-east England constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. Born in India in 1956, Kumar had been MP since 1997.
Leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, described Kumar as a "marvellous MP, very devoted and a great party supporter. He was also an able scientist.""At this stage it is too early to say whether the death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing," a police spokesman said.
Kumar's aides called the emergency services when he failed to arrive at his office in the House of Commons this morning.A spokesman for Cleveland Police said that officers were called to an address on Canberra Road, Marton, in Middlesbrough, at 12.30pm.
"Officers entered the property and found the body of a man in his 50s. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics."
Announcing the news to the House of Commons afternoon, John Bercow said, "Ashok was a most assiduous Member, much respected by the House and by professional background a very fine chemical engineer. The Labour Party, in a statement, said the party is extremely saddened to hear about the death of Ashok Kumar.
David Walsh, Secretary of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland CLP said "Ashok was a fine politician who served his constituency and his constituents with diligence and unswerving commitment."
A spokesman for Kumar's parliamentary office said it was a "huge shock" and that they were not aware that the 53-year-old had underlying health issues.
"It came as a huge shock to everyone. Ashok was a fine politician who served his constituency and his constituents with diligence and unswerving commitment," a spokesman for Kumar's office said.
"He was a natural fighter and a community leader. He first won his seat in 1991 in a by-election, only to narrowly lose it in the 1992 general election. Undaunted, he stood again and in 1997 regained the seat and successful defended it in following contests," he added.
In the House of Commons, Kumar worked with Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who said he was "deeply shocked and saddened.""It is very hard to believe that Ashok is no longer with us Ashok was a pioneer, a doughty fighter for his constituents and a Labour man through and through who cared deeply for others," he said.
He was also fearless in pursuit of what he saw as right. I came to value his friendship, his loyalty and his sense of fun over the many years we worked together, Benn added.
George Dunning, leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said "Ashok was extremely disappointed at the recent job losses at Tata-owned Corus on Teesside.
"I am sure his former steel colleagues will miss Ashok who was a fantastic ambassador for Teesside Steel.
Kumar began his political career as a local councillor for Middlesbrough Borough Council and first entered parliament as MP for Langbaurgh following a 1991 by-election win.
After losing the seat in the 1992 general election, he re-entered parliament five years later as MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.The seat, which has a notional 8,096 majority over the Conservatives, will now be contested at the general election.
