I was very sorry to hear that Lord Tom Pendry of Stalybridge passed away on Sunday night. A highly popular Member of Parliament for Stalybridge & Hyde from 1970 to 2001, and continued servant of our communities since, Lord Pendry will be missed by many. He was extremely proud to have served as Lord Commissioner of the Treasury and as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Jim Callaghan, and would often tell me he was responsible for talent-spotting Tony Blair.

His passion was sport, especially boxing and football, great loves deepened during his national service with the Royal Air Force. His service as President of the Football Foundation saw him campaigning for better facilities for community soccer throughout his time in the Lords. My deepest condolences go to his children Fiona and Dominic, and his grandchildren.