David was a kind and generous man. His wife and children have my deepest condolences. He was committed to his constituency in Southend, and gave his life - tragically and appallingly - in serving his constituents. Members of Parliament must always be accessible to their constituents, as David was.
David also loved Newham. He was born in Plaistow and grew up in Forest Gate, where his mother lived until her death, aged over 100. David was proud of his old school, St Bonaventure’s - an excellent Catholic boys’ school when he was there, as now - and was known to wear his school tie in the House of Commons. He used to visit the school often.
He stood for election to Newham Council in 1974 and 1978. He wasn’t successful, but, despite party differences, always took a supportive interest in the Council. When I was Council Leader, trying to persuade the Conservative Government to bring the Channel Tunnel Rail Link through a station in Stratford, he was our one committed and unwavering ally on the Government benches. His contribution was crucial to the success of the campaign, which led on to London hosting the 2012 Olympics with the stadium at Stratford, and to the regeneration under way now. Newham has lost a great friend today.