Brown and Blair lead tributes to 'unexplained death' Labour MP

Gordon Brown and Tony Blair led tributes to Labour MP Ashok Kumar after he was found dead at his home.

The body of the 53-year-old was discovered yesterday afternoon in Middlesbrough after his staff were unable to reach him by telephone and raised the alarm.

Police said they were treating the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP's death as "unexplained" and inquiries were continuing. He was not thought to have been unwell.

The Prime Minister said he was "greatly saddened" after hearing the news.

"Ashok was a hard-working constituency MP who took pride in representing the people of Middlesbrough as both a councillor and MP," Mr Brown said.

"He was a tenacious campaigner for his constituents and a warm and incredibly generous man. His long-standing campaigns to keep shipbuilding in Teesside were respected by all sides of the House."

Mr Blair, who was a fellow North East MP until he stood down from Parliament in 2007, described his loss as "a genuine tragedy and source of real sadness".

"Ashok was a dedicated and committed local Member of Parliament, representing Middlesbrough with a real passion and determination to serve the community he was from," he said.

"As a neighbouring MP I saw first hand his commitment to the North East where the support he received grew year after year."

Single Dr Kumar had represented his constituency since 1997.

Police said they were called to his address in Canberra Road, Marton, Middlesbrough, at 12.30pm yesterday.

"Officers entered the property and found the body of a man in his 50s. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics," a spokesman for the Cleveland force said.

"At this stage it is too early to say whether the death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing."

A uniformed police officer was stationed on guard outside the home of the Indian-born MP.

His death was announced to the Commons by Speaker John Bercow who paid tribute to him as a "most assiduous" MP, who was "much respected" by the House.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, who Dr Kumar worked for as a parliamentary aide, expressed his shock at the news.

"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."

Before becoming an MP, Dr Kumar was a research fellow at Imperial College, London and a research scientist for British Steel. He also served as a local councillor in Middlesbrough for 10 years.

He first entered the Commons in 1991 after winning Langbaurgh in a by-election but lost the seat at the general election the following year.