Political figures react to the death of Martin McGuinness

The Sinn Fein politician, who was the former Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland until earlier this year, was diagnosed with a rare heart condition several months ago.

Ian Paisley Jnr., who vocally thanked Mr. McGuinness following his resignation as Deputy First Minister back in January, was among the first to offer his condolences. Speaking from outside Westminster, Mr. Paisley praised Martin McGuinness' work with his own father - Former First Minister Ian Paisley - and said: "If we could do a deal with Martin McGuinness...we could then work with any republican."

Ian Paisley Jnr: "If we could do a deal with Martin McGuinness...we could then work with any republican". pic.twitter.com/67PIJ4Q6T5

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 21, 2017

This was a sentiment shared by most of the prominent politicians in London. Prime Minister Theresa May praised his "essential and historic contribution" to Northern Ireland, while Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called McGuinness "a great man" and tweeted that he "played a huge role in bringing peace to Northern Ireland."

Much loved husband

In a statement this morning, DUP leader Arlene Foster wrote: "I want to express my sincere condelences, both personally and on behalf of our party, to the McGuinness family upon hearing the news of the passing of Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

"Today's news will come as a shock to many people.

"First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss."

Her comments come at a time when her party and Sinn Fein continue negotiations to reform the Northern Ireland government.

.@DUPleader on death of @M_McGuinness_SF pic.twitter.com/Jpd4GSArng

— Gareth Gordon (@BBCGarethG) March 21, 2017

President Michael D. Higgins wrote: "The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland."

While the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Martin McGuinness today.

"His passing represents a significant loss, not only to politics in Northern Ireland but to the wider political landscape on this island and beyond.

"Martin will always be remembered for the remarkable political journey that he undertook in his lifetime.

"Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end.

"Martin was one of the chief architects of the Good Friday Agreement and he worked resolutely in the years that followed it in pursuit of its full implementation.

"I got to know Martin well in recent years, including through our working together in the North South Ministerial Council.

"His commitment to securing enduring peace and prosperity for all of the people of Northern Ireland was unwavering throughout this time.

"He strove to make Northern Ireland a better place for everyone, regardless of background or tradition.

"Above all, today is an especially sad day for Martin's family - his wife Bernie, and his children - and for the people of Derry."

Surprising Condolences

McGuinness' road from conflict to peace inspired a number of surprising offers of gratitude. Speaking on Good Morning Britain earlier, TV host Piers Morgan likened Martin McGuinness to Nelson Mandela.

In the same show, former Cabinet Minister Norman Tebbit entered the debate and offered one of the dissenting voices this morning, calling McGuinness "a coward who never atoned for his crimes." Lord Tebbit and his wife Margaret were lucky to survive an IRA bomb on a Brighton Hotel in 1984 which was intended for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Ann Travers, whose sister and father were ambushed by an IRA gun attack that left her sister dead and her father critically injured, tweeted a picture of her father and sister, writing: "Enniskillen Families, Claudy families, Hegarty family, Gillespie family, Maher family, I'm so sorry you never got the answers you deserved."

Enniskillen Families, Claudy families, Hegarty family, Gillespie family, Maher family, I'm so sorry you never got the answers you deserved ❤

— Ann Travers (@AnnTravers6) March 21, 2017

Colin Parry whose 12-year-old son, Tim, was killed by an IRA bomb in Warrington in 1993 also spoke about the relationship he developed with the former IRA commander.

Mr Parry said he first met Mr McGuinness in 2002 when he came to Warrington for an engagement as Minister for Education.

"I don't forgive Martin, I don't forgive the IRA, neither does my wife and neither do my children," he told the BBC.

"Setting aside forgiveness I found Martin McGuinness an easy man to talk to and a man I found sincere in his desire for peace and maintaining the Peace Process at any cost.

"He deserves great credit for his most recent life."