Tributes pour in for 'thoroughly kind and decent' ex-Labour chancellor Alistair Darling after his death aged 70 - as video captures moment George Osborne and Ed Balls learn he has passed away

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alistair Darling, the former Labour MP who served as Chancellor during the 2008 financial crisis, has died aged 70. Tributes today poured in from across the political divide for a 'towering figure' who took 'calm' action in steering Britain through the chaos of the global credit crunch. He was also hailed for his efforts in keeping the UK together following his key role in the 'No' campaign during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. Former prime ministers - including Sir Tony Blair , Gordon Brown, David Cameron , Theresa May and Boris Johnson - spoke of how Lord Darling was almost unique in British politics in being so highly-regarded on all sides. Sir Tony, who gave Lord Darling a string of top Cabinet jobs in his New Labour government, hailed him as a 'rarity in politics', adding: 'I never met anyone who didn't like him.' Lord Cameron praised the ex-Chancellor as a 'thoroughly kind and decent man' who made an 'immense contribution' at Westminster. PM Rishi Sunak said Lord Darling's death was a 'huge loss' as he paid tribute to 'a dedicated public servant who served this country though challenging times'.