Tributes have been paid to the man who led the first review into the Manchester Arena bombing - Lord Robert Kerslake - after his family announced his death aged 68.
Lord Kerslake, known as Bob, died on Saturday after “a short battle with cancer”, his “devastated” sister Ros Kerslake CBE said in a post on social media on Sunday morning
Senior Labour Party figures including its leader Sir Keir Starmer, deputy leader Angela Rayner, shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and mayor of London Sadiq Khan were among those who paid their respects to the crossbench peer.
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Formerly head of the UK Cviil service, he was nominated for a peerage by David Cameron and ennobled following his retirement as permanent secretary at the Department for Communities and Local Government, with the peerage being conferred by the late Queen in 2015.
Lord Kerslake was also a chairman of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London but he quit the role in 2017, warning that the health service could not continue “staggering along” under the current funding levels.
In July 2017 he was appointed by the region's mayor Andy Burnham as the chair of an independent review into the atrocitiy at the Arena in May that year, tasked with examining Greater Manchester's preparedness for and emergency response to the attack.
The results of the investigation, commonly referred to as the Kerslake Report, were published in March 2018. The chair of the public inquiry into the bombing Sir John Saunders thanked him for the review and said it had assisted him with his investigation which he said 'built on his review.'
Lord Kerslake was involved with a number of other organisations and committees including most recently serving as chair of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation.
Announcing the news on Twitter, Ros Kerslake wrote: “My brother Bob (Lord Robert Kerslake) died yesterday after a short battle with cancer. We are all devastated.”
In another tweet, Eleanor Kerslake added: “Unfortunately my wonderful dad Bob Kerslake died yesterday. We are all devastated. Dad had a few jobs in his time but the most important to him was being a truly fantastic husband, dad, brother, son and granddad.”
Labour's Deputy Leader, and Ashton-under-Lyne MP, Angela Rayner said: "So very sad to learn of the passing of Bob Kerslake. A devoted public servant, he was a good, kind and principled man, generous with his time and full of wisdom. My thoughts are with his family, friends and all who knew him."
“I’m very sorry to learn that Bob Kerslake has died" the party's leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Sunday. "Bob was a talented public servant, utmost professional, and a good man.
"He was rightly respected across Westminster for his experience and wisdom, and I’m grateful for his recent contributions to the Labour Party. Sincere condolences to his family.”
Labour veteran Mr McDonnell tweeted: “Just heard the terribly sad news Bob Kerslake has died. I’ve known Bob from when he was with us at the GLC (Greater London Council).
“He was a true public servant of the highest integrity, dedicating his life to caring for people & tackling inequality wherever he found it. My condolences to his family.” Mr Streeting said his death was “terribly sad news”. “Bob was such a committed and decent public servant taken far too soon,” he tweeted.
“Deepest condolences to your family and all those who knew and loved him.” Mr Khan hailed him as “a true public servant. His kindness and commitment to improving our city and country will always be remembered,” he added. “My thoughts are with his family and friends today.”
Born in Bath, Somerset, Kerslake graduated with a mathematics degree from Warwick University and worked in a number of roles in local government before becoming chief executive of the London Borough of Hounslow.
He became chief executive of Sheffield city council in 1997, and then the Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England). He was knighted in the 2005 New Year honours list for services to local government.
