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Former Labour Health Secretary Frank Dobson has died at the age of 79.

The Yorkshire-born politician resigned from the House of Commons four years ago, having serving as Holborn and St Pancras MP for 36 years.

He was replaced by Sir Keir Starmer, now the shadow Brexit secretary.

Jeremy Corbyn today paid tribute to Mr Dobson, branding him a "brilliant" Health Secretary and said he was "passionate" about representing his constituents.

Mr Dobson was appointed to Tony Blair cabinet after the landslide Labour victory in 1997.

Announcing his passing, a family spokesman said: "The Dobson family, is sad to announce the death of Frank Dobson, former MP for Holborn and St Pancras and secretary of state for health.

"His family would like to thank all the staff at the Homerton University Hospital for their outstanding expertise, commitment and care in the last few months and also the staff of York Hospital for his previous excellent care.

(Image: Press Association)

"He also greatly appreciated the support of his many friends and former parliamentary colleagues."

Mr Corbyn said: "He was passionate in representing his constituents and his people and he was brilliant as secretary of state for health in 1997.

"He was also a great raconteur, a great purveyor of stories, a great source of gossip around the House of Commons and a great wit in many ways and would always remember the good and the bad in just about everybody he met.

"As a parliamentary neighbour of mine we got on absolutely famously... we just got along extremely well.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

"He's one of these people that never lost his Yorkshire roots, very proud to be a London MP and very proud to speak out about our party and movement.

"I miss him, I thank him for what he did and my condolences to all his family."

Current Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Twitter: "Just heard the news that Frank Dobson has passed away.

"From one health secretary to another, thank you for your years of service and devotion to our health service."

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "So sad to hear the news about Frank Dobson. A hero of the London Labour movement - his kindness, commitment to reducing inequality, and unique sense of humour will be much missed."

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: "I'm devastated. Since I became Labour's shadow health secretary Frank was an ongoing source of tremendous encouragement, advice and friendship.

"To this day NHS staff tell me Frank was the best health secretary they ever worked with putting foundations in place to rebuild our NHS under a Labour government.

"Indeed many of his reforms have stood the test of time in the NHS.

"I will miss Frank immensely as will staff across the NHS and wider Labour movement. All our thoughts are with his family."

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Mr Dobson entered the Commons the same year Margaret Thatcher became prime minister.

The former leader of Camden Council was Labour's candidate at the mayoral election in 2000 having been persuaded to go for the newly created job by Mr Blair, but ultimately lost out to Ken Livingstone.

Following his unsuccessful bid for City Hall at the turn of the millennium, he returned to the backbenches and spoke out against a string of party policies including the Iraq War, top-up fees for students, the marketisation of parts of the NHS and longer detention without charge for terror suspects.

(Image: PA)

Following his decision to step down in 2015, the West Ham supporter said at the time: "It has been an honour to represent the people of Holborn and St Pancras for all these years and to have made at least some contribution to making it a better place to live.

"I am proud of the people I represent. They get on together and help one another.

"Outsiders who have tried to stir up divisions have always failed. Common sense and human decency have prevailed.

"It has been hard work keeping up with the needs and aspirations of local people and helping resolve their problems. My constituents have been slow to chide and swift to bless."

He leaves behind his wife Janet and their three children.