South Swindon MP Robert Buckland, and his former special advisor Peter Cardwell, who both worked for former government Minister James Brokenshire who died last week, paid tribute to their former boss.

Mr Buckland told of how his ministerial career began in 2011, just a year after he was selected, by helping Mr Brokenshire at the Home Office. He said: "When James asked me in 2011 to help shoulder some of his work as a Home Office minister by acting as his unofficial PPS, it was the start of an association that grew in strength and closeness, as I realised the quality of the man and his work."

"The James I knew was keen and sharp. His fertile, lawyer’s mind meant that no problem, however big, was incapable of analysis, consideration and solution. He was never daunted by circumstances."

Mr Cardwell who worked for Mr Brokenshire before working for Mr Buckland tweeted: "Brokey was the best of politics and the best of humanity — twice my boss, who became like a brother. He combined integrity, humanity, diligence and fun like no one else. I can’t believe he’s gone.#TeamBrokeyForever