Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bob Cryer, champion of Labour left, dies in crash

Donald Macintyre
Wednesday 13 April 1994 00:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

BOB CRYER, the left-wing Labour MP for Bradford South and a former junior minister, was killed yesterday in a car accident, writes Donald Macintyre.

Mr Cryer's Rover crashed at 1.24pm on the M1 near Junction 5 for Watford as he was driving down to London for the return of the Commons after the Easter recess.

His wife, Ann, was thought to have suffered minor injuries. Scotland yard said: 'The car overturned, ending up on its roof. It's believed no other vehicle was involved.'

John Smith, the Labour leader, said the whole party was 'shocked and stunned by Bob Cryer's tragic death'. 'He was an indefatigable socialist, a man of tenacious integrity, and a fine parliamentarian.

Mr Smith paid tribute to his 'genial wit and mocking sense of humour'. He said Mr Cryer, 59, a member of the Campaign Group, had been 'the House of Commons specialist on checking the abuse of secondary legislation and he was a terrier-like upholder of the rights of Parliament'.

Mr Cryer's death means a by-election in a safe Labour seat. His majority was 4,902 over the Tories in the 1992 election.

Obituary, page 30

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in