Gregory Campbell has paid tribute to the late Northern Ireland Office Minister Paul Goggins describing him as a “humanitarian.”
Paul Goggins.
The DUP MLA and East Derry MP was speaking during a “Matter of the Day” debate today in the Assembly.
Mr Goggins died last week just over a week after collapsing while out running with his son near their home in Salford, Manchester.
Mr Goggins was appointed Minister in the Northern Ireland Office with responsibility for Health, Security and Prisons in May 2006 and 12 months later he was promoted to Minister of State for Northern Ireland, a position he held until 2010.
During his time in office, he made several visits to Derry.
Mr Campbell said, “I like many others, got to know Paul when he came to Northern Ireland. Many former Northern Ireland Office Ministers will just periodically refer to their time in Northern Ireland. It was not the same with Paul. He had a deep sense of companionship and humanitarianism, and he loved the people of Northern Ireland.
“I met him over the Magilligan prison issue and he made it clear to me that civil servants would have preferred to move the prison away from Magilligan.
“However, he made it clear that if a case could be made for its retention at Magilligan, he would be on our side. As I said in the House of Commons last week, he was a man of his word, because we made the case and he took that decision.
“He was a humanitarian and a man who always took the time to speak to you and to ask about Northern Ireland. This character made Paul Goggins a Northern Ireland man even though he represented Wythenshawe in Manchester.”
Mr Campbell concluded: “We pass on our condolences to his wife and family. He will be deeply and sadly missed.”
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