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Bob Crow, RMT union general secretary, dies Bob Crow, RMT union general secretary, dies
(about 1 hour later)
General secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport union Bob Crow has died. Rail Maritime and Transport union leader Bob Crow has died aged 52.
The 52-year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died early on Tuesday morning. Political, industry and union figures have paid tribute to Mr Crow, who died early on Tuesday of a suspected heart attack.
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, who often clashed with him during industrial disputes, said he had "fought tirelessly" for his members.
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". Labour leader Ed Miliband said he had not always agreed with Mr Crow, but he had been "loved" by his members.
'Passionate'
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 And Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Mr Crow had been a "fighter and a force".
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. Mr Miliband said Mr Crow had been "a major figure in the Labour movement and was loved and deeply respected by his members".
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". He added that Mr Crow was a "passionate defender of and campaigner for safe, affordable public transport" and a "lifelong anti-fascist activist".
Mr Johnson said: "I'm very shocked to hear of the death of Bob Crow. "I didn't always agree with him politically but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union."
"This was a guy who really fought for his members and who stuck up for his point of view. Mr Johnson said: "This was a guy who really fought for his members and who stuck up for his point of view.
"Obviously I didn't always agree with what he had to say but... together with other union members, Bob Crow unquestionably helped to drive through huge progress on London Underground, and he leaves a massive legacy behind.""Obviously I didn't always agree with what he had to say but... together with other union members, Bob Crow unquestionably helped to drive through huge progress on London Underground, and he leaves a massive legacy behind."
While he was supported by members in his union, Mr Crow was often heavily criticised by some politicians and parts of the media when the union decided to take industrial action.
Just last month thousands of Tube passengers endured delays because of strike action over planned job cuts and ticket office closures.
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.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."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."
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said Mr Crow had made "an important contribution to the debate around the future of rail services in this country" and had always been "very straight" in his dealings with the government.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the 52 year-old's death would be a loss felt by all trade unionists.
'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, rising through the ranks before becoming general secretary of the RMT - which was formed by the combining of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Seamen's Union in 1990.
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. Mr Crow was never afraid to take on politicians and rail industry leaders - sometimes to the consternation of London's commuters.
Last month, he 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."
Mr Crow's older brother Richard told Sky News he believed the union leader had suffered a heart attack early on Tuesday, and paid tribute to the "loveable little rogue". Mr Crow did not attend a TUC executive away day on Monday because he felt unwell.
His older brother Richard told Sky News he believed the union leader had suffered a heart attack early on Tuesday, and paid tribute to the "loveable little rogue".
"We grew up together in Chigwell in Essex and he was a very likeable chap - no matter what people said about his politics," he said."We grew up together in Chigwell in Essex and he was a very likeable chap - no matter what people said about his politics," he said.
"He was honest, he looked after the people he was supposed to look after, and he was a great man as far as honesty and beliefs went.""He was honest, he looked after the people he was supposed to look after, and he was a great man as far as honesty and beliefs went."
He added: "When people have a high office in life they fall for the big trappings of the flash cars and the big hotels and big houses. But Bob wasn't like that, he was a genuine person of the people."He added: "When people have a high office in life they fall for the big trappings of the flash cars and the big hotels and big houses. But Bob wasn't like that, he was a genuine person of the people."
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."
He also defended his salary, which was reported to be £145,000 but he suggested was closer to £90,000, saying he was worth it because RMT's members had received pay rises every year even during austerity, had good pensions and had good holiday allowances.
Millwall fanMillwall fan
He also defended his salary, which was reported to be £145,000 but he suggested was closer to £90,000, saying he was worth it because RMT's members had received pay rises every year even during austerity, had good pensions and had good holiday allowances.
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 football 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 football 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 critical of Labour - especially New Labour - as he was of the Conservatives. He was often as critical of Labour as he was of the Conservative party.
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, said: "We have lost one of the finest trade union leaders and socialists our movement has known."
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 had also been "a very dedicated opponent of racism and fascism whenever it reared its head", as well as taking part in anti-war campaigning.