Tributes flood in for Lambeth Mayor Mark Bennett, who has died suddenly aged 44

 
Missed: Mark Bennett, who died suddenly on Tuesday morning
Robin de Peyer5 February 2014

Tony Blair today led tributes to Lambeth Mayor Mark Bennett who died suddenly from a suspected heart attack aged 44.

Mr Bennett was an "immensely popular" member of staff at 10 Downing Street after Labour’s landslide victory in 1997, he said.

"He was intelligent, immensely hard-working and above all, a warm and generous spirit who was a pleasure to be around," said Mr Blair.

Tributes poured in after the sudden death of Mr Bennett.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna spoke of “great shock and sadness” over the loss of a local politician who became mayor last March.

The Streatham MP said: "It is with great shock and sadness that I learnt of the death of our Mayor, my constituent and dear friend, Cllr Mark Bennett. His passing is a huge loss for our community, which he had taken to his heart and loved so much.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We will so miss Mark. Devastating news. Our love, thoughts and prayers are with his family - <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/KzMul30soQ" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-323546-http://t.co/KzMul30soQ" data-vars-event-id="c23">http://t.co/KzMul30soQ</a>.— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChukaUmunna/statuses/430754840923217921" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-323546-https://twitter.com/ChukaUmunna/statuses/430754840923217921" data-vars-event-id="c23">February 4, 2014</a>

"Mark was a kind and lovely guy with great intelligence, wit and insight. There is so much to say – words cannot do Mark justice."

He added: "May you rest in peace Mark and thank you for being a shining light in our community.  We will so miss you and our love, thoughts and prayers are with your family at this incredibly difficult time."

Heart attack: Mayor of Lambeth Mark Bennett (Picture: Twitter/@MayorofLambeth)

Mr Bennett who was first elected in 2005, died in hospital yesterday morning, Lambeth council announced.

Leading figures from the Labour Party last night paid tribute to the Streatham South representative.

Former Olympics Minister and MP for Dulwich and West Norwood Tessa Jowell tweeted: "Devastating news about Mark Bennett. Impossible to imagine Lambeth without him."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Devastating news about Mark Bennett. Impossible to imagine Lambeth without him. He taught us all so much (cont) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&amp;id=222025&amp;p=http://t.co/5PNcPNpUXD" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-323546-http://t.co/5PNcPNpUXD" data-vars-event-id="c23">http://t.co/5PNcPNpUXD</a>— Tessa Jowell (@jowellt) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jowellt/statuses/430763219159097344" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-323546-https://twitter.com/jowellt/statuses/430763219159097344" data-vars-event-id="c23">February 4, 2014</a>

Mr Campbell paid tribute to his friend and colleague, writing: "Mark, you were a big character, and you left your mark on all of us. I will miss you and so will all who came to know your wit, your passion, your commitment and your determination to do something good for the world."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Can hardly believe that Mark Bennett has died. He was a fantastic assistant in No 10, the Party and on diaries. Great Mayor too RIP— Alastair Campbell (@campbellclaret) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/campbellclaret/statuses/430745056375742464" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-323546-https://twitter.com/campbellclaret/statuses/430745056375742464" data-vars-event-id="c23">February 4, 2014</a>

Openly gay, he took part in the 2013 London Gay Pride Parade wearing his mayoral chains and campaigned against hate crimes, Lambeth Council said.

Lambeth Council's leader, Lib Peck, said: "I am devastated to have lost someone who was not only a fantastic representative for the borough, but also a much loved and close personal friend.

"Mark was a very talented individual who went above and beyond for the people of his ward, and for the whole community.

"We will all miss him deeply."

A book of condolence will be opened at Lambeth town hall before details of a memorial service and funeral are announced later.

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