Former Labour Health Secretary Frank Dobson has died aged 79, his family has announced.

The veteran Labour MP, who died on Monday night, stood down at the 2015 general election after representing Holborn and St Pancras in London since 1979.

At the time he warned then-party leader Ed Miliband and his inner circle were not up to the job.

A family statement read: “His family would like to thank all the staff at the Homerton University Hospital for their outstanding expertise, commitment and care in the last few months and also the staff of York Hospital for his previous excellent care.

“He also greatly appreciated the support of his many friends and former parliamentary colleagues.”

Keir Starmer, the current MP for Holborn and St Pancras, paid tribute to Dobson on Twitter, saying he will be remembered for “his straight talking, good humour and the passion he brought to every job”.

Shadow Attorney General, Shami Chakrabarti, said in a statement: “Frank Dobson was a rare in politics for his levels of warmth, generosity and duty in the national interest.

“I shall never forget our successful campaign against lengthy detention without charge. He will not be forgotten and those of us fighting for a Labour Government will be spurred on by his memory.”

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