This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28108283
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
West Midlands PCC Bob Jones dies aged 59 | West Midlands PCC Bob Jones dies aged 59 |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones has died "in his sleep" aged 59. | The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones has died "in his sleep" aged 59. |
Mr Jones, from Wolverhampton, was elected to the role as a Labour candidate in November 2012. | Mr Jones, from Wolverhampton, was elected to the role as a Labour candidate in November 2012. |
He courted controversy when he called for PCCs to be scrapped, but also lent his support to several campaigns while occupying the role. | He courted controversy when he called for PCCs to be scrapped, but also lent his support to several campaigns while occupying the role. |
An election to fill the vacancy left by Mr Jones' death is expected to be held in the coming weeks. | |
His widow Sarah said her husband was a "warm and wonderful man". | |
"Nothing was more important to Bob than his family which he loved with a passion," she said. | |
"He was a very special man who will terribly missed by his loved ones and I'm sure by the many people whose lives he touched in public service." | |
Mr Jones's deputy Yvonne Mosquito confirmed he died on Tuesday morning, describing his death as a "huge loss" to policing. | |
"Bob was a dear friend and a deeply committed public servant," she said. | "Bob was a dear friend and a deeply committed public servant," she said. |
"All our thoughts are with Bob's wife Sarah and his family at this sad time." | "All our thoughts are with Bob's wife Sarah and his family at this sad time." |
Mr Jones served as a Labour councillor in Wolverhampton for 33 years and was also a member of the West Midlands Police Authority. | Mr Jones served as a Labour councillor in Wolverhampton for 33 years and was also a member of the West Midlands Police Authority. |
In 2010 he was awarded a CBE for services to policing. | In 2010 he was awarded a CBE for services to policing. |
Wolverhampton City Council leader Roger Lawrence said Mr Jones "was a great public servant to Wolverhampton". | Wolverhampton City Council leader Roger Lawrence said Mr Jones "was a great public servant to Wolverhampton". |
"He will be greatly missed," he said. | "He will be greatly missed," he said. |
Flags outside Wolverhampton Civic Centre were flown at half-mast in remembrance of Mr Jones. | Flags outside Wolverhampton Civic Centre were flown at half-mast in remembrance of Mr Jones. |
'Deeply saddened' | 'Deeply saddened' |
Staffordshire's Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis, said Mr Jones had succeeded in "fundamentally changing and improving the way the police engaged with local people". | |
"Although we didn't share the same philosophies, I liked Bob very much as a person and will miss the banter we had on so many occasions," he said. | "Although we didn't share the same philosophies, I liked Bob very much as a person and will miss the banter we had on so many occasions," he said. |
"He was never afraid to speak his mind, even if this sometimes caused him to be in a minority of one among PCCs." | "He was never afraid to speak his mind, even if this sometimes caused him to be in a minority of one among PCCs." |
At one point "Bob Jones" was trending on Twitter UK as people posted tributes. | At one point "Bob Jones" was trending on Twitter UK as people posted tributes. |
Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear the death of West Mids PCC, Bob Jones, a great champion of all that is best in British Policing & a very decent man." | Labour MP for Erdington Jack Dromey tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear the death of West Mids PCC, Bob Jones, a great champion of all that is best in British Policing & a very decent man." |
Former mayor of Wolverhampton Phil Bateman added: "Bob Jones A Great loss, truly shocked, a man of huge integrity, and taken before his time. Making a job he didn't want successful!" | Former mayor of Wolverhampton Phil Bateman added: "Bob Jones A Great loss, truly shocked, a man of huge integrity, and taken before his time. Making a job he didn't want successful!" |
John McNicholas, chairman of transport authority Centro, said he was "shocked and saddened" at this news and added: "Bob Jones was totally committed to the communities of the West Midlands and he will be greatly missed." | John McNicholas, chairman of transport authority Centro, said he was "shocked and saddened" at this news and added: "Bob Jones was totally committed to the communities of the West Midlands and he will be greatly missed." |
A book of condolence has been opened at West Midlands Police's Lloyd House headquarters. | A book of condolence has been opened at West Midlands Police's Lloyd House headquarters. |
'Obdurate commitment' | 'Obdurate commitment' |
The first signatories were Bob Jones' deputy Yvonne Mosquito and West Midlands Police Chief Constable Chris Sims. | The first signatories were Bob Jones' deputy Yvonne Mosquito and West Midlands Police Chief Constable Chris Sims. |
Mr Sims described Mr Jones as an "outstanding politician" and praised his "unrivalled" knowledge of policy. | Mr Sims described Mr Jones as an "outstanding politician" and praised his "unrivalled" knowledge of policy. |
"I shall miss his counsel, his obdurate commitment and sense of service to the people of the West Midlands," he said. | "I shall miss his counsel, his obdurate commitment and sense of service to the people of the West Midlands," he said. |
An online book of condolences was also available on the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner website. | An online book of condolences was also available on the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner website. |
In his spare time Mr Jones was campaigning strategy director for the Campaign for Real Ale. | In his spare time Mr Jones was campaigning strategy director for the Campaign for Real Ale. |