Labour MP found dead, investigation launched

Police are investigating the death of Labour MP Ashok Kumar whose body was found by officers at his home yesterday.

As colleagues paid tribute to the 53-year-old politician, Cleveland Police said it was too early to say whether the death was being treated as suspicious.

Staff, who are believed to have raised the alarm after being unable to reach Dr Kumar by telephone, said the news had come as a "huge shock".

"Police were called to an address on Canberra Road in Marton, Middlesbrough, at 12.30 p.m. today, Monday 15th March," a spokesman for the Cleveland force said.

"Officers entered the property and found the body of a man in his fifties. He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

"At this stage it is too early to say whether the death is being treated as suspicious and inquiries are ongoing."

Dr Kumar, a Parliamentary aide to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, had represented Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland since 1997. The Indian-born MP, who was single, was not believed to be unwell.

Leading the tributes from colleagues, who all expressed shock at the news, Mr Benn said: "It is very hard to believe that Ashok is no longer with us.

"Ashok was a pioneer, a doughty fighter for his constituents and a Labour man through and through who cared deeply for others. He was also fearless in pursuit of what he saw as right.

"I came to value his friendship, his loyalty and his sense of fun over the many years we worked together.

"It is why he will be greatly missed by so many of us."