DUP leader and First Minister-in-waiting Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have paid their respects to the Belfast Telegraph's Political editor, Liam Clarke, following his sudden death.

The award-winning journalist and author passed away last night.

His wife, Kathryn said on Facebook: "I am very sorry to say that Liam Clarke died very suddenly but peacefully last night."

Mr Clarke joined the Belfast Telegraph as political editor in 2011.

Previously he had worked at the Sunday Times as its Northern Ireland editor for 20 years before becoming a columnist for the paper.

In 2014 he was named CIPR journalist of the year.

Tributes have been paid to Mr Clarke across social media.

DUP leader Arlene Foster said she was shocked when she heard of Mr Clarke's passing describing him as a "giant of journalism".

"I met Liam in Lisburn just last week. We talked about his health and his family as well as mine. He was very interested - off the record of course.

"We shared a cup of tea and agreed to have a more political talk in the New Year before my appointment as First Minister.

Shocked by Liam's death. My sympathy to Kathryn and the family. A giant of journalism. Photos from last week. pic.twitter.com/jkpXgL2t9u — Arlene Foster (@DUPleader) December 27, 2015

I'm sorry to hear Liam Clarke has died,my sympathy & condolences to his family. — Martin McGuinness (@M_McGuinness_SF) December 27, 2015

"Neither of us thought that cup of tea would be our last together. In fact, we were already thinking of what that interview would look like and where it would be done.

"I am deeply saddened for Kathryn and the children as well as the wider Clarke family. I think today also of his colleagues in the Belfast Telegraph and those he worked within the Sunday Times for many years. As a journalist Liam had an ability to cut through all the padding and get right to the core of a story.

"He will be missed by us as politicians but of course our grief is overshadowed by that of his family whom he loved dearly and often spoke.

My thoughts and prayers are with Kathryn and their three children. On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party I express our dearest sympathy."

Outgoing First Minister Peter Robinson added: "Liam has been reporting on politics for almost as long as I have been in politics.

"His friendly approach was disarming in an interview. You didn't just hear from Liam when he was looking an interview and that distinguished him from many of his peers.

"When he interviewed me before I announced my retirement he was in good spirits and had given me a more encouraging report on his health than had been the case before."

He added: "I was shocked to hear about his death. I sympathise with Kathryn and their children. I assure them of my prayers at this difficult time. Liam has left a journalistic legacy which will undoubtedly be studied by future generations in that field. His achievements are too numerous to list."

Liam had been battling a rare form of cancer and wrote about his battle with the illness in this newspaper.

Stunned and saddened by Liam Clarke's untimely death. Thoughts with family, friends and journalistic colleagues. His work demands respect — Mike Nesbitt (@mikenesbittni) December 27, 2015

Sad to hear of the passing of Liam Clarke. His biography of McGuinness "From Guns to Government" was a tour de force of journalism. — Jim Allister (@JimAllister) December 27, 2015

Thoughts and prayers with the family and friends of @LIAMCLARKECJ . A principled man who was a credit to his profession. @BelTel — David Ford (@DavidFordMLA) December 27, 2015

SofS: 'I am saddened to hear of the death of Liam Clarke earlier today. He was a very talented journalist who will be sadly missed.' — NIO (@NIOPressOffice) December 27, 2015

Liam Clarke has passed away suddenly and peacefully. He was a remarkable man. A brilliant journalist with a distinguished career. A friend. — Ken Reid (@KenReid_utv) December 27, 2015

Sorry to hear of the passing of journalist Liam Clarke. Thoughts and prayers are with his family — peter weir (@peterweirmla) December 27, 2015

Very sorry to hear of Liam Clarke's passing. RIP — Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) December 27, 2015

Sorry to hear of the passing of Bel Tel journalist Liam Clarke, he seemed to still writing up to the very end — Allison Morris (@AllisonMorris1) December 27, 2015

Very sad to hear Liam Clarke has died. A fair & thoughtful journalist & someone who did what we could to improve politics. He'll be missed — Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) December 27, 2015

Very sad news about Liam Clarke. One of Northern Ireland's fairest and best journalists. RIP. — Prof John D Brewer (@Prof_johnbrewer) December 27, 2015

Really sad news about Liam Clarke. A top journalist and a nice man. One of the good guys. Thoughts with his family. — David Gordon (@DGordonhack) December 27, 2015

Very sorry to hear that Liam Clarke has died. A very generous man and a superb journalist. I'll miss our chats and his gentle guidance : ) — Alex.Kane (@AlexKane221b) December 27, 2015

The National Union of Journalists, Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley said: "I would like to extend sympathy to the family, colleagues and friends of Liam Clarke Political Editor, The Belfast Telegraph and a former officer of Belfast and district branch of the NUJ, who has died.

"Liam was a fearless journalist. He was never afraid to challenge authority and was always prepared to stand up for the principle of media freedom.

"In the Sunday Times and, more recently in the Belfast Telegraph he covered some of the most significant events in the history of Northern Ireland.

"As a columnist he was insightful, authoritative and, at times provocative. He commanded respect across the political divide and his death is a loss to journalism in Northern Ireland."

Belfast Telegraph