Unions pay tributes to Banks and Squire

Unions have paid tribute to two Labour MPs, formerly union officials, following their untimely deaths last month.

Former sports minister Tony Banks died suddenly on 8 January age 62. Between 1976 and 1983 he worked for ABS, a predecessor of broadcasting union BECTU. Current general secretary Roger Bolton said: "Tony was an outstanding member of the union, extremely popular with members and colleagues alike."

Rachel Squire, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, died aged 51 on 5 January. She was an officer for NUPE (now part of public services union UNISON). Scottish secretary Matt Smith said: "UNISON Scotland has lost a former colleague , a political supporter and - for many of us - a good friend."