Minister shocked by wife's death

Mr Spellar found his wife dead at their Kent home

Northern Ireland Minister and Labour MP John Spellar is "shell-shocked" after the sudden death of his wife, according to colleagues.

Friends of Mr Spellar, MP for the West Midlands constituency of Warley, said he had found his wife Ann, 62, dead at their home in Bromley, Kent on Tuesday.

Bill Thomas, the leader of Sandwell Council and a friend of Mr Spellar's family, said: "It is a tragic loss for John - Ann helped him a great deal, although she always did it from the background."

Mr Thomas, who is a constituency officer for the MP, added: "He was naturally shell-shocked.

"She was a very pleasant person who supported John's work and was very proud of his achievements."

"There was no indication of anything wrong. It is a very sad occasion and a complete shock."

Ministerial career

Mr Spellar was first elected in 1982 but lost the seat at the next election and did not return to the Commons until 1992.

A former trade union official, he was immediately appointed a Labour whip and later became a spokesman on Northern Ireland.

When Labour came to power, he served as an armed forces minister before moving to transport. He was appointed to the Northern Ireland Office in this year's reshuffle.