The PUP's David Ervine Dies

Tributes Paid By Both Friends And Foes

David Ervine, the leader of the Progressive Unionist Party died on Monday after suffering a heart attack at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

His death left politicians on all sides of the divide in shock and tributes poured in from both his friends and foes alike.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern praised the late-PUP leader saying that he "was a courageous politician who sought to channel the energies of loyalism in a positive political direction."

"He was an enormously valuable and important voice for his community. He was a passionate defender of the most disadvantaged in society and not solely those in his own constituency in East Belfast.

"David Ervine had travelled his own difficult journey to democratic politics but he made that journey."

He also said that Ervine was a key figure in securing the 1994 UVF ceasefire and was an invaluable and vocal supporter of the Good Friday Agreement.

"He will be sadly missed at this time as the final steps are taken to bring about the restoration of the power sharing institutions.

"I greatly valued and appreciated my many meetings with David Ervine over the years.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that Mr Ervine was a persistant and persuasive advocate for the peace process: "David was a man who, whatever his past, played a major part in this last 10 years in trying to bring peace to Ulster."

"His incisive wit and clear, if often controversial, analysis of Northern Ireland politics marked him out.

"Brought up in sectarian politics, he ended up being a persistent and intelligent persuader for cross community partnership and he will be sorely missed."

The British Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said, "David Ervine was a talented, courageous and an honest politician."

"He had grown away from the past and worked tirelessly to make Northern Ireland a better place.

"He wanted to solve problems not simply restate them, and was always looking for a way forward.

"His loss will be keenly felt within loyalism. He gave loyalists a voice and influence at the highest level and he was crucial in taking loyalism along the often difficult path to a lasting peace.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams was also quick to praise his former opponent, saying that he had played a vital role in advancing the peace process: "David Ervine played a key role within loyalism throughout the development of the peace process," he said.

"He made a valuable and important contribution to moving our society away from conflict.

"I was shocked when I heard the news that David Ervine had been taken ill and died suddenly.

"On behalf of Sinn Féin I would wish to extend my condolences to his family, friends and party colleagues at this difficult time."

Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey, who had admitted Mr Ervine into the Ulster Unionist assembly group despite him not being a member of the party and remaining the leader of the Progressive Unionists, claimed that his death was a major loss: "Northern Ireland has today lost a unique, charismatic and uncharacteristically spin-free politician

"I have known David for many years, initially at Belfast City Hall then at the Assembly.

"David was always passionate about East Belfast, its people and his culture and heritage. He realised that violence belonged in the past and was keen to play his part in helping loyalists make the transition towards exclusively peaceful and democratic means.

"Respected for his forthright and no-nonsense views and opinions on both sides of the political divide, and for his unique style of oratory, David will be sorely missed." C