The Conservative party was in mourning today for MP Eric Forth, who has died aged 61.
Mr Forth had been an MP since 1983 and served most recently as shadow leader of the House.
He was a devout Thatcherite and rightwinger, with a deep love of the Commons chamber - and a penchant for clashing ties and waistcoats. Mr Forth had also served in both the Thatcher and Major governments.
As business got under way in the chamber today, the Speaker, Michael Martin, reported his death to a sombre House, adding: "I'm sure members on all sides will join me in mourning the loss of a colleague and extend our sympathies to his family."
The Conservtaive leader, David Cameron, informed of the news enroute to a meeting in Manchester, said: "Eric's sudden and untimely death has robbed the House of Commons of one of its stars and Bromley and Chislehurst of a great constituency champion.
"He will be greatly missed by all of us in parliament.
"My first job as an opposition spokesman was serving under Eric when he was shadow leader of the House.
"Watching him speak in parliament as an MP and from the front bench was a masterclass in how you can use the House of Commons to hold governments to account.
"He had a great mastery of detail combined with an incisive wit and an unbeatable sense of timing.
"Whilst he was a House of Commons man he was also a respected and assiduous constituency MP.
"We certainly didn't agree about everything and the last thing he would want to be described as was "a moderniser".
Mr Forth's death will spark a byelection, although the true blue seat of Bromley and Chislehurst gave the Tories a 13,000 majority at the 2005 election.
He was an extremely eloquent speaker with a forensic understanding of parliamentary procedures and a deep commitment to the Commons.
But those qualities also made him unpopular on the numerous occasions when he used them to block other backbenchers' bills.
He was one of the most prominent backers of David Davis in his battle for the party leadership with David Cameron.
He was first elected as MP for Mid Worcestershire in 1983, switching to Bromley and Chislehurst in 1997.
He was named Opposition MP of the Year by the House Magazine in 2000 and was also well known for his colourful ties.
Glasgow-educated, he was twice married and had two daughters and one stepson.
Tory whip Andrew Rosindell said Mr Forth had been in Westminster only 10 days ago. "Eric was a courageous politician who did an enormous amount to campaign and fight for true Conservative values, particularly for the values that Margaret Thatcher stood for, and I think it will be a great loss to the party," he added.
"He was outspoken and often said things that people didn't like, but he wasn't afraid to say what he believed in."
Bob Neill, London assembly member for Bexley and Bromley, said: "This is an absolute tragedy. Eric was a good personal friend and a magnificent parliamentarian. I greatly appreciated working with him over the years and know at first hand the effort he put into representing his constituents and maintaining the strength of the House of Commons as an institution.
"Of course my immediate thoughts are with Carroll and the family."