Sir Lindsay Hoyle leads tributes to former Labour MP Sir George Howarth
Former Labour minister Sir George Howarth has died at the age of 77, MPs have been told.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle described his death last week as “another sad loss” to the House of Commons.
Sir George served as a member of Parliament for almost four decades, after he was elected to represent the Merseyside constituency of Knowsley North in 1986.
He left the Commons at the last general election in 2024, when he was MP for Knowsley.
Sir Lindsay told MPs he campaigned for Sir George in the 1986 by-election which saw him elected onto the green benches.
“Tragically, George got a bad back but we did have a big majority at the end of it,” Sir Lindsay continued.
“But of course, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Julie, and wider family and friends.
“He was a great politician and it is another sad loss to this House.”
From the despatch box on Monday, Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said: “Can I associate myself, and I’m sure all members of this House, with your words of condolence for the late great George Howarth?
“He was a hugely experienced parliamentarian and I know that he will be very much missed.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also joined the tributes.
Writing on X, he said: “A lifetime of public service, George served his party, his country, and the people of Knowsley with distinction.
“My thoughts and those of the entire Labour movement are with his family at this difficult time.”
During his years in Parliament, Sir George served on the Panel of Chairs, chairing Westminster Hall debates and overseeing committees.
He was a minister during Sir Tony Blair’s first years in No 10, first in the Home Office between May 1997 and July 1999, and then in the Northern Ireland Office between July 1999 and June 2001.
Sir George was knighted in the 2019 Birthday Honours for parliamentary and political service.
Labour held the Knowsley seat at the last general election, which Anneliese Midgley won with a majority of 18,319.
In a statement, the Labour Party in Northern Ireland (LPNI) said it was saddened to hear of Sir George Howarth’s death.
A spokesperson added: “Sir George was Labour MP for Knowsley North for nearly 40 years and served as a minister in the Northern Ireland Office between July 1999 and June 2001.
"Sir George was a committed supporter of our campaign to end the suppression of Labour Party politics here by allowing us to stand Labour candidates.
“He spoke often on LPNI platforms and hosted us in the House of Commons.
"He was a true friend and will be sorely missed.”