MOURNERS turned out in their hundreds to pay their respects to North-East MP Ashok Kumar in an emotional memorial service.

Guisborough Methodist Church was filled with family, friends, constituents, local dignitaries and national politicians, who listened to recollections about a kind, gentle and thoughtful man.

His brother, Ravi, spoke of a passionate and dedicated man who was a committed socialist who cared greatly for the local community and could always feel other people’s pain.

He said. “With your permission, can his family take him to Derby, you have had him on loan and we would like to take him back home.”

The 53-year-old, who represented Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, died of natural causes in his Middlesbrough home on Monday.

Yesterday, a number of people paid tribute to Dr Kumar during the service including Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and The Northern Echo’s deputy editor Chris Lloyd, along with friends and colleagues from his 30 years in politics.

His longtime friend, colleague and confidant, David Walsh paid an emotional tribute, saying Dr Kumar would be greatly missed.

Mr Benn, who Dr Kumar worked for as a parliamentary private secretary, said: “The thing I will miss most about Ashok is that chuckle of his.”

Friend Chris Snowden said: “Ashok was a very pleasant man and didn’t slag anyone off, but he did call them banana head and I can’t believe I won’t hear that again.

“I did have a list of the people who he did call banana head, but most of them are here, and I’m on it twice.”

Harriet Harman, leader of the House of Commons, said Dr Kumar radiated his unshakeable commitment to his constituents in the House of Commons and added: “Everybody respected him.”

The leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Councillor George Dunning, spoke of his long-standing working partnership with Dr Kumar and his passion for the area.

He said: “One thing that really hurt him was the closure of Teesside Cast Products. It would be really fitting if someone did come along and reopen the blast furnace – then Ashok could really rest in peace.” David Bowe, who campaigned alongside Dr Kumar in his early days as a Middlesbrough councillor, said: “He was a kind, gentle and thoughtful man and that is how I will remember him.”

As his family took Dr Kumar to Derby, people lining the streets of the market town broke into applause.