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Death of Martin McGuinness: reaction and tributes – politics live Death of Martin McGuinness: reaction and tributes – politics live
(35 minutes later)
8.02am GMT
08:02
Here is a bit more from Colin Parry whose son Tim died in a IRA bomb in Warrington in 1993.
“I don’t forgive the IRA, nor does my wife, nor do my children,” he told the BBC. “But, setting aside forgiveness, the simple fact is I found Martin McGuinness an easy and pleasant man to talk to - a man who I believe was sincere in his desire for peace, for maintaining the peace process at all costs.
And I think he deserves great credit for his most recent life rather than more than his earlier life, for which I don’t think anything in his most recent life can atone.
That said, he was still a brave man, who put himself at some risk within some elements of his own community in Northern Ireland.”
7.50am GMT
07:50
Arlene Foster, the Democratic Unionist party leader and former Northern Ireland first minister, has expressed her “sincere condolences” at the death of Martin McGuinness.
Today’s news will come as a shock to many people. First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss.
Updated
at 7.57am GMT
7.46am GMT
07:46
The former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain described McGuinness as a “pivotal figure” in the peace process.
Condolences to @M_McGuinness_SF family such a pivotal essential figure in Northern Ireland peace process
Updated
at 7.58am GMT
7.42am GMT
07:42
The Guardian’s Ireland correspondent Henry McDonald has more reaction from the outgoing Ulster Unionist leader, Mike Nesbitt, who said this would be a “challenging day for victims of the Troubles”.
I believe no one needed to die to get Northern Ireland to where it is today. Clearly Martin McGuinness very actively disagreed with that analysis, but I also accept in his later years he was on a journey to create change through politics, becoming a pivotal figure at Stormont.
It would be less than honest if I said other than that I found him a straight-dealing politician in any engagement I had with him.
History will reflect a complex life story.
Updated
at 7.58am GMT
7.38am GMT
07:38
Norman Tebbit, who was injured along with his wife when the IRA bombed the Tory party conference in Brighton in 1984, has been reacting to McGuinness’s death.
'There can be no forgiveness without a confession of sins' - Lord Norman Tebbit speaks on Martin McGuinness
Updated
at 7.59am GMT
7.34am GMT
07:34
The Alliance leader, Naomi Long, has said she is saddened to learn of the death.
On behalf of myself and my colleagues I would extend our heartfelt condolences to Bernie, to Martin’s children and to the wider family circle on Martin’s passing. They are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time, she said.
I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication Martin invested as an MLA and as deputy first minister to serving not only his constituents, but all of Northern Ireland.
Whilst our politics were very different and his past is well documented, the compromises he made, the leadership he demonstrated and his willingness to work with others despite those differences as part of the peace process helped secure the peace we all now enjoy.
For that, we are grateful and our best tribute to him would be to do all in our power to secure that peace and progress for future generations.
Updated
at 8.00am GMT
7.30am GMT
07:30
Senior republican and former IRA volunteer Gerry Kelly paid tribute to McGuinness.
My thoughts are with Bernie and all his family first. He will be missed by Irish republicans, nationalists and freedom fighters around the world. Equally proud of having been a freedom fighter and peacemaker. His huge legacy lives on. RIP
Updated
at 8.00am GMT
7.24am GMT7.24am GMT
07:2407:24
Colin Parry, whose son Tim died from his injuries after being caught up in an IRA bombing in Warrington town centre in 1993 has told the BBC the McGuiness he knew was “a quiet man of peace.” Colin Parry, whose son Tim died from his injuries after an IRA bombing in Warrington town centre in 1993 has told the BBC the McGuinness he knew was “a quiet man of peace”.
"I can only judge him as I found him, a quiet man totally committed to peace process." @ColinParryPeace on Martin McGuinness. @bbc5live"I can only judge him as I found him, a quiet man totally committed to peace process." @ColinParryPeace on Martin McGuinness. @bbc5live
Updated
at 8.01am GMT
7.13am GMT7.13am GMT
07:1307:13
Henry McDonaldHenry McDonald
The Derry-based leader of the rival nationalist party, the SDLP, said McGuinness’ “remarkable journey from paramilitarism to peace was a hallmark of the transformative effect of the peace process”. Colum Eastwood, the Derry-based leader of the rival nationalist party, the SDLP, said McGuinness’s “remarkable journey from paramilitarism to peace was a hallmark of the transformative effect of the peace process”.
Colum Eastwood expressed his condolences to the McGuinness family adding: He expressed his condolences to the McGuinness family, adding:
History will record his political career as a journey – one born in a tradition of violence but, in a testament to Martin’s character, that arrived at his true calling in politics, people and the art of persuasion.History will record his political career as a journey – one born in a tradition of violence but, in a testament to Martin’s character, that arrived at his true calling in politics, people and the art of persuasion.
Those who knew him will know that his warm and affable nature undoubtedly made it easier to reach beyond his own political base.Those who knew him will know that his warm and affable nature undoubtedly made it easier to reach beyond his own political base.
The generosity that he displayed in developing relationships with Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson demonstrated a rare gift that came as much from his personality as his politics. It is that gift which is needed in our politics at this moment.The generosity that he displayed in developing relationships with Ian Paisley and Peter Robinson demonstrated a rare gift that came as much from his personality as his politics. It is that gift which is needed in our politics at this moment.
Updated
at 8.02am GMT
7.06am GMT7.06am GMT
07:0607:06
Those in the UK are waking up to news that Martin McGuinness has died. Reactions will, of course, be mixed. People in the UK are waking up to news that Martin McGuinness has died. Reactions will, of course, be mixed.
This is from Kyle Paisley, a son of the late Ian Paisley, who as the DUP first minister of Northern Ireland had McGuinness as his deputy:This is from Kyle Paisley, a son of the late Ian Paisley, who as the DUP first minister of Northern Ireland had McGuinness as his deputy:
1/2 Very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness.Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father...1/2 Very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness.Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father...
2/2 spent in office together and the great good they did together. Will never forget his ongoing care for my father in his ill health.2/2 spent in office together and the great good they did together. Will never forget his ongoing care for my father in his ill health.
This from Alastair Campbell: This from Tony Blair’s former communications chief Alastair Campbell:
So sad Martin McGuinness has died. Some will never forgive his past but without him there would be no peace. The man I knew was a great guySo sad Martin McGuinness has died. Some will never forgive his past but without him there would be no peace. The man I knew was a great guy
Updated
at 8.03am GMT
6.58am GMT6.58am GMT
06:5806:58
Ireland’s president, Michael D Higgins, has issued a long statement on McGuinness’ death. You can read it at the Irish Times here, but here’s part of it:Ireland’s president, Michael D Higgins, has issued a long statement on McGuinness’ death. You can read it at the Irish Times here, but here’s part of it:
The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland …The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland …
His death leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. May he rest in peace.His death leaves a gap that will be difficult to fill. May he rest in peace.
6.52am GMT6.52am GMT
06:5206:52
One of the most remarkable – and unlikely – images of McGuinness’ political career came when he shook the hand of the Queen on her visit to Belfast in 2012. One of the most remarkable – and unlikely – images of McGuinness’s political career came when he shook the Queen’s hand on her visit to Belfast in 2012.
As Anne McHardy writes in the Guardian obituary of McGuinness:As Anne McHardy writes in the Guardian obituary of McGuinness:
The image of McGuinness, as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, standing side by side with a smiling [Peter] Robinson, [Ian] Paisley’s successor as Democratic Unionist party leader and first minister, and shaking the Queen’s hand during her visit to Belfast in 2012, vividly portrayed not only how far McGuinness himself had developed over the years, but how far Northern Ireland had moved from the violence of 1968.The image of McGuinness, as deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, standing side by side with a smiling [Peter] Robinson, [Ian] Paisley’s successor as Democratic Unionist party leader and first minister, and shaking the Queen’s hand during her visit to Belfast in 2012, vividly portrayed not only how far McGuinness himself had developed over the years, but how far Northern Ireland had moved from the violence of 1968.
The two met on a number of subsequent occasions, the last coming in June 2016 at Hillsborough Castle, when the Queen unveiled a portrait of herself. After a 20-minute private meeting McGuinness said: “I am an unapologetic Irish republican and I value very much the contribution Queen Elizabeth has made to the peace process and to reconciliation.” The two met on a number of subsequent occasions, the last coming in June 2016 at Hillsborough Castle, when the Queen unveiled a portrait of herself. After a 20-minute private meeting, McGuinness said: “I am an unapologetic Irish republican and I value very much the contribution Queen Elizabeth has made to the peace process and to reconciliation.”
Updated
at 8.04am GMT
6.44am GMT6.44am GMT
06:4406:44
In a statement, Sinn Féin said:In a statement, Sinn Féin said:
It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness, who passed away in Derry during the night.It is with deep regret and sadness that we have learnt of the death of our friend and comrade Martin McGuinness, who passed away in Derry during the night.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
McGuinness died overnight in Altnagelvin hospital. He had been diagnosed with a rare genetic disease caused by deposits of abnormal protein in his tissues and organs.McGuinness died overnight in Altnagelvin hospital. He had been diagnosed with a rare genetic disease caused by deposits of abnormal protein in his tissues and organs.
6.36am GMT6.36am GMT
06:3606:36
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s former deputy first minister and ex-IRA chief of staff, has died at the age of 66.Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s former deputy first minister and ex-IRA chief of staff, has died at the age of 66.
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams confirmed the death of his longtime political ally, saying on Tuesday morning:Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams confirmed the death of his longtime political ally, saying on Tuesday morning:
Throughout his life, Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.Throughout his life, Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness.
He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.
On behalf of republicans everywhere we extend our condolences to Bernie, Fiachra, Emmettt, Fionnuala and Grainne, grandchildren and the extended McGuinness family.On behalf of republicans everywhere we extend our condolences to Bernie, Fiachra, Emmettt, Fionnuala and Grainne, grandchildren and the extended McGuinness family.
We will have reaction to McGuinness’ death here, as well as the politics of the day when Andrew Sparrow takes over later.We will have reaction to McGuinness’ death here, as well as the politics of the day when Andrew Sparrow takes over later.