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Labour MP Ashok Kumar has died aged 53, according to his office.
A spokesman for the MP said he was found this morning at his home and his death is being treated as "sudden accidental death".
"It came as a huge shock to everyone," the spokesman said.
The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP was parliamentary private secretary to environment secretary Hilary Benn, and had been the member of Parliament for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland since May 1 1997.
He first won the seat, then known as Langbaurgh, in a 1991 by-election, but lost it to Conservative Michael Bates at the 1992 general election.
But he successfully recaptured it in 1997, and held onto it in 2001 and again 2005, where he secured a n 8,000 majority.
Benn led tributes to his PPS.
"It is very hard to believe that Ashok is no longer with us,” he said.
"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."
Cleveland Police said: "Police were called to an address on Canberra Road, Marton, in Middlesbrough, at 12.30pm today, Monday 15th March.
"Officers entered the property and found the body of a man in his 50s.
"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."
Born in India in 1956, Kumar came to England aged two and went on to become a research scientist in the steel industry and chemical engineer prior to his election to Parliament.
He was appointed parliamentary private secretary to the International Development Minister Hilary Benn in 2003, and stayed with him as he was promoted to secretary of state and when he was moved to the Environment department.
The news came just as Parliament began its business for the week, and John Bercow led tributes to Kumar.
The Speaker said he had been a "very fine chemical engineer".
"I am sure that members on all sides of the House will join me in mourning the loss of a colleague and extending our sympathy to the hon. member's family and friends," he added.
Work and pensions secretary Yvette Cooper told the Commons that Kumar would be sadly missed, and that his family was in all MPs thoughts.
And Tory frontbencher Theresa May said the MP had suffered an "untimely death" of MP and was "widely respected across this House".
Article Comments
I remember Ashok when he was a local councillor when I lived in Middlesbrough many years ago. He was a passionate campaigner and a genuine guy who always had time for people and was willing to discuss political ideas. I'm sure that he influenced many on Teesside to get involved with politics and to campaign to change things. He was one of the few engineers in Parliament and one of the first Indian men to ever win a by-election, if I'm not mistaken. Dying so young is truly a tragedy for his family and all who knew him.
Andy Walker
15th Mar 2010 at 6:24 pm
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