Alistair Darling, the former Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer, has died, aged 70.
Darling was Chancellor from 2007 to 2010, steering the UK economy through the financial crisis after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and the global recession that followed it.
He was an Edinburgh MP from 1987 until he stepped down from parliament in 2015.
A statement issued on behalf of the family of the former Labour chancellor said: "“The death of Alistair Darling, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and long-serving member of the Labour cabinet, was announced in Edinburgh today.”
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was “deeply saddened” by news of Darling’s death.
“Alistair will be remembered as a statesman of unimpeachable integrity whose life was defined by a strong sense of social justice and who gained a global reputation for the assured competence and the exercise of considered judgement he brought to the handling of economic affairs,” he said.
I am deeply saddened by the death of Alistair Darling. I, like many relied on his wisdom, calmness in a crisis and his humour. I send my deepest condolences to his loving wife Maggie and their children Calum and Anna. He will be missed by all who knew him.
— Gordon Brown (@GordonBrown) November 30, 2023
The present Chancellor Jeremy Hunt called Darling “one of the great Chancellors, he’ll be remembered for doing the right thing for the country at a time of extraordinary turmoil”.
Theresa May, former UK prime minister, said Darling was an asset to politics and our national life.
She said he was "a committed public servant, a proud Unionist and a calm, kind and decent man".