Robin Cook dies aged 59.

Today the British Left has been rocked by the news that Robin Cook has died unexpectedly.

Look up Robin’s articles in The Guardian…astonishingly beautiful prose and a fearsome intellect.

British politics and especially the Labour Party will never quite be the same. He was a politician that gave up his cabinet post - in tears - because he had principles, the only ovation I have ever seen in the Commons.

I am deeply saddened that someone who I admired so much has passed away; there are so many politicians that could never ever hold a candle to Mr Cook. The Left in Britain will be devastated by this news.

As a parliamentarian he was unsurpassed in my lifetime.

A sad day, a desperately sad day.