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Former sports minister Tony Banks has died after suffering a stroke on holiday in the US.
The ex-Labour MP for West Ham, known as Lord Stratford, was at lunch on Sanibel Island, Florida, on Saturday when he collapsed, a family friend said.
The peer, 62, was taken by helicopter to Fort Myers hospital and medics found he had suffered "a massive stroke". It was later announced that he had died.
Lord Stratford became an MP in 1983 but did not stand in last year's election.
He and his wife Sally had been staying with friends on the island. His wife was not with him at the time he was taken ill, the friend said.
Chelsea fan
Lord Stratford, an avid Chelsea fan, was known for his forthright views while an MP. His popularity with the public gave him a "man of the people" image.
As an MP, his office was based in Stratford, east London, for 20 years, an area where he also lived.
He took his role in the cabinet in Tony Blair's first administration but resigned in 1999 to concentrate on the unsuccessful bid to host the World Cup at Wembley.
From the backbenches he pursued his passion for animal welfare, contributing to the Hunting Bill debate.
He sought to be selected as Labour's candidate for the 2003 London Mayoral election, but was defeated by Nicky Gavron.
He caused surprise by taking the title Lord Stratford when made a working peer last year. But he called it a "nom de politics", saying he still expected to be largely known as Tony Banks.
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson described the peer as "one of the great characters of Westminster" who cared passionately about politics.
The current sports minister, Richard Caborn, said his friend and former colleague had "left his mark in sport, football in particular", and was a "man of conviction who got his very serious point across", but was "never bitter and never personal".
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BBC NEWS
Published: 2006/01/08 20:15:23 GMT
but thats just mean! 