Police probe into sudden death of MP Ashok Kumar

Published on Monday 15 March 2010 22:09

POLICE were last night investigating the "sudden accidental death" of Labour MP Ashok Kumar, 53, whose body was found at his home by officers.

The MP's parliamentary staff are believed to have raised the alarm after they were unable to reach Dr Kumar by telephone.

Sources said there was no sign of a break-in and there appeared to be no suspicious circumstances or third party involved.

The Indian-born former scientist was single and had no underlying health problems.

Police officers forced entry to the home in Middlesbrough at 12:30pm yesterday and found the MP's body.

Dr Kumar, an aide to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, had represented the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland since 1997 and was regarded as a champion of British Steel.

The seat, which has a notional Labour majority of 8,000 votes, is expected to remain empty until the general election.

Mr Benn led tributes yesterday to the "pioneering" politician. He said: "Ashok was a pioneer, a doughty fighter for his constituents and a Labour man through and through, who cared deeply for others."

Before becoming an MP, Dr Kumar was a research fellow at Imperial College, London, and a research scientist for British Steel.