Labour MP Karl Chircop died in a London hospital early yesterday afternoon, aged 43, having been in a coma since August 3 when he suffered a brain haemorrhage as a result of a stroke.

A family doctor, he had been an MP since 1996 and was the Labour Party spokesman for health before he died.

He is survived by his wife Adriana and his four children, who were at the hospital when he died, together with his mother and other members of the family. Dr Chircop had collapsed when as he was about to wash the wheels of his car in the garage. Although his children had already washed it, the doctor - whose wife had described him as "a perfectionist" - still decided to give them another scrub.

Dr Chircop celebrated his 43rd birthday in Mater Dei Hospital a few days after he was rushed there when he collapsed on a Sunday evening. He was kept in intensive care.

A couple of weeks later, an improvement in his condition was registered and a ray of hope shone through when he was considered to be no longer in a deep coma, although still unconscious.

Towards the end of August, after showing positive signs, the MP was flown to the UK in an air ambulance for further treatment at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in London's Queen Square, a leading centre for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with a wide range of neurological conditions and head injuries.

Yesterday afternoon, the Labour Party, in agreement with his family, issued a statement saying Dr Chircop was declared clinically dead, although he was still connected to machines. Late last night the party said the machines had been turned off.

The party said tests were carried out to determine which of his organs could be donated in keeping with his altruistic character and with the wishes of the family.

In a statement, the government said Dr Chircop had died, adding that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Louis Galea, expressed his solidarity with the family after talking to Dr Chircop's wife on the telephone.

For the MPs, the death marked the loss of "one of their friends".

Parliament will be paying tribute to the MP at the start of today's sitting.

In a statement, late last night, MLP leader Joseph Muscat expressed his loss of a great friend.

"In spite of the fact that I was aware of the huge difficulties he was facing during the last weeks, I never lost hope that we would see Karl again, one way or another," Dr Muscat said.

Dr Chircop's political career was characterised by altruism and his sense of being of service to the people.

He used to feel this call to help others, particularly those in need. This he did, both as a family doctor and in the political sphere as hundreds of families can vouch. "Karl used to take his work seriously, follow developments in the sectors he was responsible for and adopt a positive attitude."

In the few weeks he spent as a main spokesman on health, a sector he liked very much, was clear proof of this.

"We have lost a genuine friend who used to toil to bring about unity and happiness. A friend you could talk to, who was ready to listen and help. A friend who lived the principles of social justice."

The fact that Dr Chircop's family have offered his organs to be donated reflects the altruism that coloured his life. In this way, he wanted to remain of service to others till the very end," Dr Muscat Said. Solidarity was expressed from all fronts when the news of Dr Chircop's collapse and critical state broke in August, with several messages of support pouring in at timesofmalta.com, describing him as a gentleman and a capable politician.

As soon as the news of his death was announced on the website yesterday, messages flooded in again. Dr Chircop was described as "content, humble, with a gentle look in his eyes, ready to share his experiences with others, ready to go the extra mile for whoever is in need, a loving husband and father".

A popular doctor, friends will also remember Dr Chircop as a keen Liverpool supporter.

During the finale of the military tattoo at Ta' Qali yesterday, a lone piper played a lament in his memory.

The family doctor

Karl Chircop was born in August 1965 and became a doctor in 1987. During his University years, he was a member of the University Students' Council and the Labour Youth Association.

He was raised in Sta Luċija, only moving to Gudja a few years ago.

Dr Chircop first built up his practice as a family doctor before entering politics in 1996, when he was elected to Parliament at the age of 31 and was the youngest MP in the fourth district. Dr Chircop was immediately appointed head of the Maltese delegation for the Council of Europe, where he was made a member of both its social and economic affairs committees.

As head of the delegation, he attended various conferences overseas, apart from the plenary meetings.

Dr Chircop was re-elected in 1998, when he doubled his first-count votes and was appointed shadow minister for social policy. He was elected to Parliament again in 2003, increasing the number of his votes.

As a spokesman, he penned various documents, dealing with employment and pensions, on which the MLP's electoral programme was based. Other areas that fell under his responsibility were housing and social benefits.

Dr Chircop was again elected to Parliament in the March election and appointed Labour's health spokesman by party leader Joseph Muscat only a month before the stroke.

His own website states his belief in a just society that offers equal opportunities to everyone.

Tributes

The PN said Dr Chircop distinguished himself also because he always put national interests first. He was capable of achieving unity and the way the country responded in solidarity when his health was critical is testimony to this.

The country has lost an "exemplary and friendly" politician, the Nationalist Party said, expressing solidarity with Dr Chircop's family, whom he cherished so much, but also with the country.

Dr Chircop distinguished himself for his commitment and dedication in his political and parliamentary work, always seeking to be of service to the Maltese and his constituents at the cost of personal sacrifice, the PN said.

MLP spokesman for the environment, Leo Brincat, who admitted to never adding blog comments, made an exception, saying: "We knew all along Karl had more than just an uphill struggle ahead of him but we were always hoping in hope. He died only a few months after a moment of great political satisfaction - when he was so evidently proud of having been appointed opposition spokesman for health". He was "one of the few guys around with a sense of humour" and his political commitment was "for real". The MP has left a void in the country and his memory should serve as an example for politicians and anyone who intend to get involved in the field, Mr Brincat said.

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola expressed his party's sympathy, saying Dr Chircop was always of service to his country and, as a doctor, to his patients. He will be remembered as a man who worked tirelessly for his ideals.

The Maltese Christian Democrat Students (SDM) also expressed their condolences, describing his death as a "tragic loss" for all of Malta. Dr Chircop was dedicated to making Malta a better place, they said.

His political life showed how politics could be carried out without undue and unnecessary hostility between people coming from different sides of the political spectrum, SDM said.