Paul Goggins’ death is a terrible shock. He was a great friend of the voluntary sector and was the Minister who appointed me to the NOMS Stakeholder Board when he was Minister for Prisons and Probation.

My most recent contact with Paul was just before Christmas when he was Chairing the All Party Penal Affairs Parliamentary Group at which I spoke and he remained a strong and dedicated criminal justice reformer long after his ministerial responsibilities ended.

His own background in the voluntary sector, and his strong personal moral compass, gave us in the sector a great ally and his passing is a sudden and very sad loss. Our thoughts are with his loved ones