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Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper dies | Sandwell Council leader Darren Cooper dies |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The leader of Sandwell Council, Darren Cooper, has died suddenly. | The leader of Sandwell Council, Darren Cooper, has died suddenly. |
Mr Cooper, 52, who had been a councillor since 1991 and leader since 2009, died on Saturday evening, the authority said. | Mr Cooper, 52, who had been a councillor since 1991 and leader since 2009, died on Saturday evening, the authority said. |
Deputy leader Steve Eling said it was a "terrible shock to everyone who knew Darren". | Deputy leader Steve Eling said it was a "terrible shock to everyone who knew Darren". |
"He was hugely liked and respected by both his colleagues at the council and the constituents who he was dedicated to serving." | "He was hugely liked and respected by both his colleagues at the council and the constituents who he was dedicated to serving." |
Mr Eling will assume the role of council leader, as is procedure. | Mr Eling will assume the role of council leader, as is procedure. |
"I would like to remember the funny and humorous friend who loved the Albion and bank holiday fishing. We shall all miss Darren, a true son of Sandwell," said Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party and MP for West Bromwich East. | "I would like to remember the funny and humorous friend who loved the Albion and bank holiday fishing. We shall all miss Darren, a true son of Sandwell," said Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour Party and MP for West Bromwich East. |
Mr Cooper was a West Bromwich Albion fan. Upon hearing the news, the club tweeted: "All at #wba are saddened to hear of the death of Sandwell leader and huge Baggies fan Darren Cooper. Condolences to his wife and family." | Mr Cooper was a West Bromwich Albion fan. Upon hearing the news, the club tweeted: "All at #wba are saddened to hear of the death of Sandwell leader and huge Baggies fan Darren Cooper. Condolences to his wife and family." |
Former Labour party leader Ed Miliband said: "He was charismatic, innovative, in touch with the people he represented and a deeply loyal person. | Former Labour party leader Ed Miliband said: "He was charismatic, innovative, in touch with the people he represented and a deeply loyal person. |
"His death at such an early age is a terrible tragedy most of all for his family and friends and for the whole Labour party." | "His death at such an early age is a terrible tragedy most of all for his family and friends and for the whole Labour party." |
Mr Cooper had represented the Soho and Victoria ward in Smethwick since May 1991 and became Leader of Sandwell Council in December 2009. | Mr Cooper had represented the Soho and Victoria ward in Smethwick since May 1991 and became Leader of Sandwell Council in December 2009. |
He worked as a mental health nurse, based at Winson Green Prison until he took redundancy two years ago to concentrate on his political career. | |
He is believed to have been taken ill while watching England's friendly against Germany. | |
He leaves behind a wife and three children. | He leaves behind a wife and three children. |
Analysis by BBC's Black Country political reporter Rob Mayor | Analysis by BBC's Black Country political reporter Rob Mayor |
Darren Cooper was well thought of in the Labour Party, had led Sandwell Council since 2009 and had clear ambitions to further his political career. | Darren Cooper was well thought of in the Labour Party, had led Sandwell Council since 2009 and had clear ambitions to further his political career. |
Many expected him to try to run as the party's candidate for an elected Mayor of the West Midlands Combined Authority next year. | |
He recently told me he was excited about the idea of the job, but was still weighing up how an increased profile would impact on his family. | He recently told me he was excited about the idea of the job, but was still weighing up how an increased profile would impact on his family. |
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