Tributes have flooded in for a Hillsborough barrister who fought "decades of lies".
Mark George's death was announced by his son, Tom, in a statement on Twitter. Mark died on Tuesday, December 20 after a short fight with advanced prostate cancer.
The barrister represented 22 families in the second Hillsborough inquests describing it as something that brought two of his life's great passions together.
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His family posted an update on his Twitter profile saying: "Mark’s family are heartbroken to announce that he passed away late on Tuesday following a period living with advanced prostate cancer. Mark was much-loved by his friends and family, but also greatly appreciated in his professional life, which this thread aims to celebrate.
"Mark came to the bar with the intention of providing social justice and legal support to those who were otherwise forgotten by society. As a proud Legal Aid warrior he rallied and stood by his colleagues in campaigns to fight for basic rights denied by political policies.
"Mark proudly represented families in the Hillsborough Inquests. Lasting for more than two years, it was the longest running criminal inquest in British history. Mark and his team were successful in finally bringing the bereaved the justice they rightly deserved.
"Mark dedicated much of his spare time to assisting the work of Amicus, an American charity helping to represent people faced with the death penalty. He was honoured to work as an advisor on several trials in the States providing crucial support to the most vulnerable.
"A natural-born leader though never one seeking to hog the limelight, Mark led @gcnchambers from 2013 with dignity and respect. Determined to support the next generation of lawyers, he frequently offered tutelage and friendship to junior barristers.
"Kind, gentle, sympathetic and selfless both in life and work, Mark brought warmth, decency, and a positive presence to every room he entered. Rest in peace Gorgeous George."
His son, Tom, gave a heartbreaking tribute to his "old man" on Twitter saying: "I don't usually share much personal stuff on here, but he weirdly loved this platform and took great satisfaction from having way more followers than me and my brothers.
"The man was a walking contradiction, in the best possible way. A socialist and staunch trade unionist with a Cambridge education, he spent most of his life working as a criminal barrister at Garden Court Chambers, except for Saturday afternoons when he could be found shouting at referees at Stamford Bridge.
"When he worked on the Hillsborough inquiry he remarked, only half in jest, that it brought together two of his life's great passions. One of my earliest memories is him taking me and one of my brothers to see Arthur Scargill speak - one of the most boring things you could ever ask a seven-year-old to do.
"He also introduced me to Pink Floyd, Prince Buster and the KLF. He played the guitar and secretly had a decent voice, much higher than you might imagine. He was a creature of habit - I estimate that we ate at Pizza Express more than 300 times.
"He spent much of his spare time fighting the death penalty with Amicus and defending the right of everyone to free legal counsel here in the UK. He was fascinated by Old English, Norse history and the ancient standing stones, once touring around the UK to see them all.
"As a teenager, he nearly became a priest but then became a Marxist instead. He loved Chelsea FC but could not give a flying f**k about international football and rarely watched England - or even Scotland, where his mum was from. But he would look out for Stenhousemuir FC's result every week, because he liked the name.
"Rest up, you incredibly smart silly billy. x"
Hundreds of people also paid tribute to Mark with one lawyer saying his death marked a "great loss to the law".
Amicus said: "With deep sadness we share the awful news that our trustee, mentor, friend, and beating heart of Amicus, Mark George KC, died yesterday. He was a huge part of what we do and will leave a massive hole but also an powerful legacy. Deepest condolences to his Sue and his family."
Andy Johnson said: "So sad to hear of Mark’s passing. I met him in Warrington during the Hillsborough Inquests. After their conclusion we stayed in touch, mostly through Twitter. I greatly admired him for both his knowledge and sense of humour. His only flaw seemed to be supporting Chelsea.
"A champion of the right for all people to have the opportunity for good legal representation. Strong critic of the attrition of Legal Aid. A supporter for better pay for new barristers. I shall remember him also for being a really nice guy."
LFC Fans Corner said: "Mark George passed away. He represented 22 of the families at the inquests and played a huge role to establish the truth after decades of lies."
Another Twitter user, @Parakeet52, said: "Many years ago I was in a 4 week trial with Mark. What an absolute gentleman. Very sad news and a great loss to the law."
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