Andy Burnham joins tributes to 'giant' of Manchester politics

The prime minister has paid tribute to "a giant" of Manchester's political scene, Pat Karney, after his death at the age of 78, saying he was a "tireless champion for the people he represented".

Karney had represented Harpurhey for Labour since 1979 and had been well-known as the council's city centre spokesman.

He had been suffering from cancer and had been having treatment at The Christie hospital.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was "deeply saddened" by Karney's death and he would "miss him greatly".

In a statement on X, Burnham said Karney had seen the city "through some of its toughest times and played his part in the growth and transformation that followed".

"I knew Pat for many years. He loved Manchester deeply and was a tireless champion for the people he represented," he said.

"I'll miss him greatly. My thoughts are with his family and everyone who knew and loved him."

Manchester City Council leader Garry Bridges said Karney was "Manchester through and through and he never lost his determination to champion the city or his astute political judgement".

Karney was born in Dublin and moved to Manchester as a boy. Proud of his Irish roots, he played a prominent role in the city's Irish Festival.

He helped drive the regeneration of Manchester city centre following the 1996 IRA bombing and masterminded the first Manchester Day celebrations in 2010.

A long-standing champion of gay rights, he also played a leading role in Manchester City Council's opposition to Section 28, which prohibited local authorities and state-funded schools from "promoting homosexuality".

Bridges said: "Pat was a giant of Manchester politics and one of the city's most recognisable public figures for nearly 50 years.

"He never lost his connection to where he came from. He was proud to be from Collyhurst and to represent the people of Harpurhey and Collyhurst."

He said that although Karney was "deeply serious about his politics and his values", he also had "a great sense of fun" and was not afraid to use "a gimmick or two" to get his message across.

"For us in the council, we knew the Pat that everyone else knew, but we also knew him as a friend, someone who was always there with sage advice.

"We will miss him personally as much as we will miss him politically."

Chief executive Tom Stannard said he would miss Karney's "wisdom, his generosity with time and his inimitable grasp of Manchester's history, as well as his forever optimism about its future".

Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig said: "Across Manchester and across politics, many will mourn the loss of Pat Karney, a force of nature who served our city for half a century.

"My thoughts are with his family, who he treasured and adored, at this difficult time. He will always be in our hearts."

The council said a book of condolence would open from 11:30 BST at the Shakespeare Hall of Central Library in Manchester, and online.

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