Labour MP Paul Goggins has died a week after collapsing while out running.
The 60-year-old MP for the Greater Manchester seat of Wythenshawe and Sale East died last night in Salford Hospital.
His wife Wyn and three grown-up children were by his bedside in hospital, where he had received treatment for a suspected brain haemorrhage after collapsing while running with his son on December 30.
In a statement released to the Manchester Evening News, his family said: "Last night Paul Goggins, our dear dad and husband, died in hospital in Salford with us by his side. We are completely heartbroken.
"He had been very ill since collapsing last week. The way in which he has been cared for at Salford Royal has been such a comfort to us and we can't thank the staff enough for this.
"We have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes we have received from so many people - a real sign of love and a reflection of the sort of person Paul/Dad was.
"We would also like to thank the media for continuing to respect our privacy at such a difficult time."
Goggins, elected to parliament in the Labour landslide of 1997, served as a junior minister in the Home Office and Northern Ireland Office, where he was made a minister of state in 2006.
The Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "The Labour Party has lost one of its most dignified, humane, wise and loyal MPs. People from all sides of the House of Commons had the greatest affection, admiration, and genuine respect for Paul. We are deeply saddened by his passing.
He added: “Paul was a man of deep faith whose commitment and strong values shone through everything he did. As a social worker, councillor, MP and Minister, attending to the needs of the most disadvantaged was always at the core of his particularly thoughtful and dedicated service. He was held in great affection by the people of Northern Ireland for his real understanding of the challenges they faced in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement."