MPS join tributes to ‘extraordinary’ young man full of energy and heart
LORD MANDELSON last night led the tributes to Will Cousins, who was killed in the Australian seaplane crash along with his younger brother, father, his fiancée and her daughter.
Will Cousins, 25, was head of press for the influential Open Britain group that is opposed to a “hard” Brexit.
Lord Mandelson, the architect of New Labour and an Open Britain board member, said: “Will was a tremendous talent and a really great guy and team player. He was indefatigable in his work for Open Britain and we will miss him and honour him by continuing his work in the campaign.”
Roland Rudd, Open Britain’s chairman, said: “Will was an extraordinary young man who was passionate about what he did; who took deep pride in his work; and came into the office every day with enthusiasm, energy and determination.
“Will saw his role at Open Britain as more than a job. For him, it was a cause akin to a crusade to stop Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal or a bad deal.”
MPS across the divide also offered their heartfelt support. Anna Soubry, a Con-
servative MP and ardent Remainer, described Mr Cousins as “a lovely young man” who was “so calm and patient” while Chuka Umunna, the Labour MP, said: “Will was an absolute pleasure to work with, utterly dedicated to the cause, dynamic and full of enthusiasm. He went about things with great heart and humour. He had his whole life ahead of him and one cannot compute that it has been taken from him.”
Meanwhile, OK! magazine was in mourning for the loss of Emma Bowden, the publication’s art editor.
Miss Bowden had joined the magazine in 2003, rising through the ranks to become a senior editor.
Kirsty Tyler, OK! magazine’s editor, said: “All the staff at OK! magazine are deeply shocked and saddened to hear about this terrible tragedy. We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all Emma’s family and friends.
“Emma was a popular and long-standing member of staff at OK! magazine and she will be greatly missed by us all.”
Lisa Byrne, the former editor-in-chief, described her as the “Grace Kelly” of the magazine and said her daughter Heather, 11, who died in the crash, was always her priority.
“Emma would try and make me healthier. She would bring me in boxes of nuts,” recalled Ms Byrne, “She was really into fitness. She would cycle into the office. Heather was her life.”