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Former MP 'Red' Ron Brown dies Former MP 'Red' Ron Brown dies
(about 1 hour later)
Former Leith MP Ron Brown has died aged 69 after a long illness.Former Leith MP Ron Brown has died aged 69 after a long illness.
The ex-Labour politician, known as 'Red Ron' for his left-wing views, had a colourful career. The ex-Labour politician, known as 'Red Ron' for his left-wing views, had been suffering from liver disease.
He was heavily involved in Scotland's anti-Poll Tax campaign and in the 1970s and 80s he held a number of meetings with Colonel Gaddafi in Libya.He was heavily involved in Scotland's anti-Poll Tax campaign and in the 1970s and 80s he held a number of meetings with Colonel Gaddafi in Libya.
In 1988 he famously grabbed the ceremonial House of Commons mace and brandished it at Tory cabinet minister Michael Heseltine.In 1988 he famously grabbed the ceremonial House of Commons mace and brandished it at Tory cabinet minister Michael Heseltine.
Mr Brown was MP for Leith from 1979-1992 when he was deselected and eventually removed for the Labour Party.Mr Brown was MP for Leith from 1979-1992 when he was deselected and eventually removed for the Labour Party.
He remained active in local politics and was a member of the Scottish Socialist Party.He remained active in local politics and was a member of the Scottish Socialist Party.
Mr Brown died on Friday morning at the Royal Infirmary in EdinburghMr Brown died on Friday morning at the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh
He is survived by two sons and a partner. His funeral will be held in Edinburgh next Friday.He is survived by two sons and a partner. His funeral will be held in Edinburgh next Friday.
A statement released by his family said: "He will be greatly missed not only by family and friends but by the many socialists and ordinary people whose lives he touched."A statement released by his family said: "He will be greatly missed not only by family and friends but by the many socialists and ordinary people whose lives he touched."