Blair leads tributes to ‘kind and gracious’ former Midland MP
FORMER Prime Minister Tony Blair has led tributes to the former Wolverhampton MP Ken Purchase, who has died, describing him as “a kind, gracious man”.
Mr Purchase was MP for Wolverhampton North East from 1992 until he stood down in 2010.
He died, aged 77, after a short illness.
He had been a Wolverhampton councillor before entering Parliament.
Leading tributes, Mr Blair said: “Ken was a passionate and effective representative of his beloved Wolverhampton and a lovely parliamentary colleague – a kind, gracious man who even when he disagreed did so with charm and without meanness of spirit.
“He was hugely popular in Parlia- ment and will be sorely missed and greatly mourned.”
Mr Purchase’s successor, Labour MP Emma Reynolds, wrote: “Sad news my friend and predecessor Ken Purchase has passed away. He loved helping people and was great champion for Wolverhampton and a better society.”
Labour MP Gisela Stuart, who served with Mr Purchase on the Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) from 2005 to 2010, said: “So very sorry to learn of death of Ken Purchase. My thoughts are with Brenda and the family. We were on FAC together. He was good man.”
Ian Austin, Labour MP for Dudley North added: “Very sorry to hear of death of my friend & colleague Ken Purchase, a great man who devoted his life to the service of others.”