Northern Ireland’s former deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, passed away this morning after a short illness. Leaders from across the political spectrum offered their reaction.

Arlene Foster, DUP Leader
Today’s news will come as a shock to many people. First and foremost, Martin McGuinness was a much loved husband, father and grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and the family circle at this very painful time of grief and loss. … He served the people of Northern Ireland as deputy first minister for nearly a decade and was pivotal in bringing the republican movement towards a position of using peaceful and democratic means.

Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Féin Leader at Stormont
My heart is broke this morning. We have lost a legend, a giant of a man. I’m very proud to say he was my friend and mentor.

Naomi Long, Alliance Party Leader
Whilst our politics were very different and while his past is well documented, the compromises he made, the leadership he demonstrated and his willingness to work with others despite those differences as part of the peace process helped secure the peace we all now enjoy.

Jim Allister, TUV Leader
Sadly, Mr McGuinness thought it appropriate not just to sanction and commit murder but to take those dark secrets to his grave, denying truth and justice to many IRA victims. So, today my primary thoughts are with the many victims of the IRA who never reached the age of 66.

Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin President

Throughout his life, Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness. He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country. But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both.

Lord Kilcooley, former UUP Deputy Leader

As a victim of IRA assassination attempt when I was Minister at Home Affairs in Northern Ireland in 1972, I obviously watched the political progress of Martin McGuinness closely. He had an evil past but became a peacemaker – of that I have no doubt. I extend my condolences to his family circle at this time but I look in despair at Sinn Féin for someone with the same leadership qualities as Martin McGuinness.

Gerry Carroll, PBP Co-Leader

My condolences to the McGuinness family on the passing away of Martin.

Colum Eastwood, SDLP Leader

It is appropriate that we reflect on Martin’s remarkable journey, made possible by men and women from all traditions across this island who forged a peace process from the fire of a terrible conflict. History will record his political career as a journey – one born in a tradition of violence but, in a testament to Martin’s character, that arrived at his true calling in politics, people and the art of persuasion.

Steven Agnew, Green Party Leader

My sympathies to the family & friends of Martin McGuinness. Politics will be a poorer place without his leadership.

John Kyle, PUP Councillor

Martin McGuinness participated in the war, contributed to the peace. My thoughts and condolences are with his family.

 

Leaders from across Britain and Ireland added their reflections.

Theresa May, UK Prime Minister

While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the Republican movement away from violence.

Michael D Higgins, Irish President

The world of politics and the people across this island will miss the leadership he gave, shown most clearly during the difficult times of the peace process, and his commitment to the values of genuine democracy that he demonstrated in the development of the institutions in Northern Ireland.

Enda Kenny, Irish Taoiseach

Not only did Martin come to believe that peace must prevail, he committed himself to working tirelessly to that end.

Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister

Once he became the peacemaker, he became it wholeheartedly and with no shortage of determined opposition to those who wanted to carry on the war. I will remember him therefore with immense gratitude for the part he played in the peace process, and with genuine affection for the man I came to know and admire for his contribution to peace.

Jeremy Corbyn, Leader of the Labour Party

Martin McGuinness played a huge role in bringing about peace in Northern Ireland. He was a great family man and my thoughts are with them.

 

Victims, church leaders, and other public figures expressed mixed feelings on the death of Mr McGuinness.

Lord Tebbitt, Conservative peer

I’m just pleased that the world is a sweeter and cleaner place now.

Ian Paisley Jr

I think the Christian view in life is how a person’s journey started is of course important, but it is how it finishes which is actually more important. The journey of Martin McGuinness’s life ended in a very different way to what people would have supposed it would have done. (H)e became the necessary man in government to deliver a stable and necessary peace, and that’s a complex and remarkable journey.

Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine died in the Birmingham pub bombings

People are piling the praise on him but it isn’t valid. He didn’t come forward with the truth.

Alastair Campbell, former Downing Street Directer of Communications

So sad Martin McGuinness has died. Some will never forgive his past but without him there would be no peace. The man I knew was a great guy.

George Hamilton, Chief Constable

Martin’s journey in life challenges all of us who care about the future; to be prepared to change; to demonstrate leadership; and to work to understand the world, not just from our own perspective, but from the perspectives of everyone in our community.

Kyle Paisley

Very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness. Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father spent in office together and the great good they did together. Will never forget his ongoing care for my father in his ill health.

Stephen Gault, whose father Samuel was killed in the Enniskillen bombing

If he had been repentant, my thoughts might have been slightly different. But he took to his grave, proud that he served in the IRA. There was no remorse or repentance from him even up to his death.

Jo Berry, daughter of Sir Anthony Berry MP, killed in the Brighton bomb attack

Today is a day to really appreciate what he has achieved. His legacy is one of reconciliation and peace-building, which is always going to be messy and difficult after a conflict and despite that, he showed us how to move forward and showed us a way where former enemies can work together for the peace of the whole. What we have now is so much better than what I grew up in. What we have now is peace.

Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire

I hope God forgives this man and grants him a place in heaven – however, it will be hard for many to shed tears upon hearing this news.

Ann Travers, sister of IRA victim Mary Travers

Enniskillen Families, Claudy families, Hegarty family, Gillespie family, Maher family, I’m so sorry you never got the answers you deserved.

Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley

People can do good and bad, things aren’t simple. People should be neither reviled or worshipped. I wish he’d helped my constituents find peace.

Colin Parry, son of Tim, killed by IRA

We can never forgive him but we can respect the man he became.

Archbishop Eamon Martin

I will remember Martin as someone who chose personally to leave behind the path of violence and to walk instead along the more challenging path of peace and reconciliation. As a leader he was courageous and took risks in order to bring others with him, convincing them that goals could be achieved by politics and persuasion.

Most Rev Dr David Clarke

While recognising the hurt, fear and misery brought into hundreds of other lives in the first part of that life, we should also convey proper appreciation of the immense statesmanlike qualities that Martin McGuinness brought into the political life of Northern Ireland in recent years.

Alan McBride, husband of Sharon McBride, murdered in the Shankill Bomb

Martin McGuinness’ fingerprints were all over the Troubles, but they were also all over the peace process

Baroness Eileen Paisley

Some people speak as if they’ve never had a sinful thought in their minds. They ought to know better.

Bernie McGuinness, wife of the former deputy First Minister (quoting a prayer)

Things may look dark and bleak now, but I have faith that my dawn is coming. In Jesus name, amen!

 

It is understood that the Queen has sent a private message of condolence to Mrs McGuinness.