Austin Mitchell, former Great Labor MP in Grimsby, dies at 86 | exhaustion

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Keir Starmer led a tribute to former Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell, who passed away at the age of 86.

Mitchell was a person of color as the Northeast Port of Lincolnshire for 38 years, from 1977 to 2015, after a career in television during the 1970s.

After his death on Tuesday, the Labor leader said: “Austin has served his constituency at Great Grimsby with remarkable commitment for 38 years. There are few MPs whose devotion to their constituents translates into a title change to Haddock to boost local industry.”

“A great sense of humor was matched by deep labor values. My thoughts are with his wife, Linda, and his children.”

Mitchell was a well-known reporter and presenter on ITV’s regional news program for many years before winning the by-election in Grimsby in 1977.

“Austin will be greatly missed by the Grimsby Labor family and across town as he was transported from television into the hearts of locals,” said former Labor Representative Melanie On, who succeeded Mitchell in the Great Grimsby seat in 2015. “Austin will be missed so much by the Grimsby labor family and across town as he has been carried from television into the hearts of locals, always ready with the camera and entertaining tale.”

“He was a larger-than-life figure, the recipient of the lost retirement benefits of the last generation of Grimsby hunters and a vocal opponent of transfers of council housing stock to long-running management organizations.

Not without controversy, the MP who changed his name to Austin Haddock will likely be remembered, but he was also a tireless hero to the people and town of Grimsby, never forgetting who was there to represent him.

“On a personal level, Austin has been tirelessly supportive of me as the new MP, still an advocate for the Labor Party and generously gave his time, advice and experience. It was a pleasure getting to know him and I send my heartfelt condolences to Linda, his family and close friends on their loss.”

Many of those who remember Mitchell have remembered his most famous moment as a TV presenter when, in 1974, he presided over a thorny meeting between former Leeds United managers Don Revey and Brian Clough.

And former Downing Street communications director Alistair Campbell tweeted: “Sorry to hear of Austin Mitchell’s passing. Fantastic communication when I was a journalist and great company when I was with Labor, even when we disagreed.

“He is of course best known as an MP but has a place in history as a television interviewer who interviewed Brian Clough Don Reeve in ‘real life’ immortalized at Damned United. Rip.”

The great Grimsby Labor Party said: “His passion for Grimsby knows no bounds. The sense of humour, kind nature, and booming laughter in our town or party will never be forgotten.”

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