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| Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever dies | Police Federation chairman Paul McKeever dies |
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| The Police Federation of England and Wales has announced the sudden death of its chairman, Paul McKeever. | The Police Federation of England and Wales has announced the sudden death of its chairman, Paul McKeever. |
| McKeever, 57, who was due to retire on 31 January, died on Thursday night after being admitted to hospital a few days ago with a suspected embolism, the federation said. | McKeever, 57, who was due to retire on 31 January, died on Thursday night after being admitted to hospital a few days ago with a suspected embolism, the federation said. |
| Steve Williams, chair elect of the federation, said: "My deepest sympathy and that of the entire Police Federation is with his wife and family at this time. | Steve Williams, chair elect of the federation, said: "My deepest sympathy and that of the entire Police Federation is with his wife and family at this time. |
| "He was a truly outstanding chairman and, most importantly, a truly outstanding police officer and man. A true gentleman, his leadership and reputation will be remembered highly by all those who knew him." | "He was a truly outstanding chairman and, most importantly, a truly outstanding police officer and man. A true gentleman, his leadership and reputation will be remembered highly by all those who knew him." |
| McKeever, a Metropolitan police officer, had handed over his responsibilities to Williams and was due to leave at the end of this month. | McKeever, a Metropolitan police officer, had handed over his responsibilities to Williams and was due to leave at the end of this month. |
| He led the federation through some of its toughest times as the police rank and file fought the Winsor reforms being imposed by the government, including the reduction of constables' pay to £19,000, and faced down government wrath over the Andrew Mitchell plebgate affair.John Tully, chair of the Metropolitan police federation, said: "It is with profound sadness that we have today learned of the sudden death of our colleague and national federation chairman, Paul McKeever. | He led the federation through some of its toughest times as the police rank and file fought the Winsor reforms being imposed by the government, including the reduction of constables' pay to £19,000, and faced down government wrath over the Andrew Mitchell plebgate affair.John Tully, chair of the Metropolitan police federation, said: "It is with profound sadness that we have today learned of the sudden death of our colleague and national federation chairman, Paul McKeever. |
| "Paul was a serving Metropolitan officer and was on the verge of retiring from the service after more than 30 years. Sincere condolences go to Paul's family, colleagues and friends at this very sad time." | "Paul was a serving Metropolitan officer and was on the verge of retiring from the service after more than 30 years. Sincere condolences go to Paul's family, colleagues and friends at this very sad time." |
| Tully said his colleague's death had come as a shock to everyone. "He led the federation through perhaps the most demanding time in history and was within two weeks of retirement." | Tully said his colleague's death had come as a shock to everyone. "He led the federation through perhaps the most demanding time in history and was within two weeks of retirement." |
| When McKeever announced last summer his intention to retire, he acknowledged the fight ahead that the federation faced. | When McKeever announced last summer his intention to retire, he acknowledged the fight ahead that the federation faced. |
| "I cannot stay within a service that is having the office of constable attacked, police officers denigrated and public safety put at risk. I will be able to fight freely outside the service; I may be retiring but I will not stop fighting for what is right and for public safety," he said. | "I cannot stay within a service that is having the office of constable attacked, police officers denigrated and public safety put at risk. I will be able to fight freely outside the service; I may be retiring but I will not stop fighting for what is right and for public safety," he said. |
| During the plebgate saga, McKeever helped to increase the pressure on the then chief whip, Andrew Mitchell. He said it was "hard to fathom how someone who holds the police in such contempt could be allowed to hold a public office". | During the plebgate saga, McKeever helped to increase the pressure on the then chief whip, Andrew Mitchell. He said it was "hard to fathom how someone who holds the police in such contempt could be allowed to hold a public office". |
| But McKeever later acknowledged concerns that his organisation had "stoked up" attention on Mitchell, and said he would be the first to apologise to the MP if a new investigation showed he had been wrongly accused. | But McKeever later acknowledged concerns that his organisation had "stoked up" attention on Mitchell, and said he would be the first to apologise to the MP if a new investigation showed he had been wrongly accused. |
| McKeever was married with one daughter. | McKeever was married with one daughter. |
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