Oldham MP left £4m to family

MICHAEL Meacher . . . left more than £4m to his family

AN MP who served Oldham for more than four decades left over £4million to his wife and children.

The much loved Labour politician Michael Meacher, who died last October, having held his seat for 45 years, left £4,181,811 to his wife Lucianne and his four children from his first marriage.

He was one of the country's longest serving parliamentarians and was described as being 'completely committed' to his constituents and even fought to prevent tax credit cuts as he lay ill in hospital.

The figures were revealed by the probate office following Mr Meacher's death on October 21 at the age of 75. He left a fortune of £5.2 million, reduced to £4.1million after debts and outstanding affairs were settled.

Tributes poured in following his death from friends and colleagues who described him as an 'exceptional' politician and 'quintessential gentleman'.

He became MP for Oldham West in 1970 and held onto his seat when it became Oldham West and Royton in 1997.

Mr Meacher was a campaigner on many progressive issues - including nuclear disarmament - and sat as a shadow cabinet minister during the 1980s.

During the 1990s he was brought into the Blair fold and became the environment minister in which he raised concerns about the Blair government's environmental policies.

In 2007 he briefly entered the Labour leadership race as a 'centre left' candidate and as a natural left-winger had been a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn.

The by-election in his seat of Oldham West was an early test of the leadership of his colleague Jeremy Corbyn. Labour won the seat comfortably with former Oldham council leader and close friend Jim McMahon securing a 10,722 majority.

Speaking on the day of his predecessor's death, Jim McMahon said: "Michael was someone I confided in, trusted and held in great affection. I'll miss him."

Speaking at a memorial for Mr Meacher, Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: "How can I possibly do justice to such a wonderful man? His mischievous sense of humour was endearing. He was incredibly kind.

"He was a quintessential gentleman, a dear colleague who was much loved. We will miss you."

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "His contributions on social justice, equality, environment and economic policy showed a man of enormous breadth and intellectual vision."