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RMT union general secretary Bob Crow dies | RMT union general secretary Bob Crow dies |
(35 minutes later) | |
General secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union Bob Crow has died. | General secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union Bob Crow has died. |
The 52-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died early on Tuesday morning. | The 52-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died early on Tuesday morning. |
London Mayor Boris Johnson, with whom he clashed over plans for the Tube, said: "I am shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character." | London Mayor Boris Johnson, with whom he clashed over plans for the Tube, said: "I am shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character." |
Labour leader Ed Miliband said Mr Crow had been "a major figure in the Labour movement and was loved and deeply respected by his members". | |
The prime minister's official spokesman said David Cameron offered his sincere condolences to Mr Crow's family and friends. | The prime minister's official spokesman said David Cameron offered his sincere condolences to Mr Crow's family and friends. |
Unwell | Unwell |
Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of former leader Jimmy Knapp. | Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of former leader Jimmy Knapp. |
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Crow "was, some argue, the most successful union leader in terms of securing jobs and pay for his members". | The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Crow "was, some argue, the most successful union leader in terms of securing jobs and pay for his members". |
He is understood to have been due at a TUC executive away day in Surrey on Monday, but was unable to attend because he was feeling unwell. | He is understood to have been due at a TUC executive away day in Surrey on Monday, but was unable to attend because he was feeling unwell. |
Mr Miliband offered his condolences and said Mr Crow was a "passionate defender of and campaigner for safe, affordable public transport" and a "lifelong anti-fascist activist". | |
Mr Johnson said in a statement: "Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news. | Mr Johnson said in a statement: "Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news. |
"Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for his members." | |
Mr Johnson's predecessor Ken Livingstone told the BBC the "endless strain of being a media hate figure" may have taken a toll on Mr Crow. | |
He added: "If you think in terms of what's a tribute to him, I can't think of any other job that working class people do that's got good wages and conditions and a pension - all the others have been eroded." | |
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg tweeted: "Sad news. Bob Crow was a fighter and a force. Condolences to his family and friends." | |
'Gobby' | 'Gobby' |
Mr Crow leaves a partner, Nicola Hoarau, and four children. | Mr Crow leaves a partner, Nicola Hoarau, and four children. |
Born in 1961 in east London, he got his first job on the underground at the age of 16, fixing rails and cutting down trees by the track. | Born in 1961 in east London, he got his first job on the underground at the age of 16, fixing rails and cutting down trees by the track. |
He became a local representative for the then National Union of Railwaymen at the age of 20. | He became a local representative for the then National Union of Railwaymen at the age of 20. |
Last month, Mr Crow joined his members on the picket line during a Tube strike, called in protest at the mayor's plan to close ticket offices. | Last month, Mr Crow joined his members on the picket line during a Tube strike, called in protest at the mayor's plan to close ticket offices. |
Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, which also took part in the strike, said: "Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it. | Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, which also took part in the strike, said: "Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it. |
"It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch." | "It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch." |
In an interview broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the day before he died, Mr Crow described himself as "talkative", but said he did not like to be "gobby". | In an interview broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the day before he died, Mr Crow described himself as "talkative", but said he did not like to be "gobby". |
"At the end of the day, to be a general secretary of a union you've got to be larger than life," he said. | "At the end of the day, to be a general secretary of a union you've got to be larger than life," he said. |
"[You can't] walk around with a grey suit on and eat a cheese sandwich every lunch time. You want someone who's got a bit of spark about them." | "[You can't] walk around with a grey suit on and eat a cheese sandwich every lunch time. You want someone who's got a bit of spark about them." |
Millwall fan | Millwall fan |
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said he was "an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement". | TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said he was "an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement". |
Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, added: "Even people who didn't like what he did agreed he did it very well." | Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary, added: "Even people who didn't like what he did agreed he did it very well." |
A longstanding Millwall supporter, Mr Crow was not a member of any political party when he died, although earlier in his life he did belong to the Communist Party of Great Britain. | A longstanding Millwall supporter, Mr Crow was not a member of any political party when he died, although earlier in his life he did belong to the Communist Party of Great Britain. |
He was often equally as critical of Labour - especially New Labour - as he was of the Conservatives. | He was often equally as critical of Labour - especially New Labour - as he was of the Conservatives. |
Nevertheless, many Labour MPs paid glowing tributes to him. | Nevertheless, many Labour MPs paid glowing tributes to him. |
John McDonnell, convenor of the RMT parliamentary group, wrote on Twitter: "In Bob Crow we have lost one of the finest trade union leaders and socialists our movement has known. I am devastated by this tragic news." | John McDonnell, convenor of the RMT parliamentary group, wrote on Twitter: "In Bob Crow we have lost one of the finest trade union leaders and socialists our movement has known. I am devastated by this tragic news." |
His colleague Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Crow was also "a very dedicated opponent of racism and fascism whenever it reared its head", as well as taking part in anti-war campaigning. | His colleague Jeremy Corbyn said Mr Crow was also "a very dedicated opponent of racism and fascism whenever it reared its head", as well as taking part in anti-war campaigning. |
Lindsey German, convenor of the Stop The War Coalition, said: "He was on all the major demonstrations against the war in Iraq, and was consistently against our government's foreign policies. | Lindsey German, convenor of the Stop The War Coalition, said: "He was on all the major demonstrations against the war in Iraq, and was consistently against our government's foreign policies. |
"I remember him on the front line of our demo in September 2002, when he helped control the massive crowd." | "I remember him on the front line of our demo in September 2002, when he helped control the massive crowd." |