WIDESPREAD TRIBUTES are being made to RMT leader Bob Crow after his sudden death in hospital.

Mr Crow, 52, who had been general secretary of the union for the past 12 years, was the victim of a 'massive' heart attack early on the morning of 11 March.

He was no stranger to controversy, and frequently clashed with employers when he was defending the interests of his 80,000 members.

Most recently he had been in the headlines because of the RMT's dispute with Transport for London over plans to close all London Underground ticket offices. One 48-hour strike last month has been followed by a resumption of talks, but Mr Crow remained firm in his contention that the closures plan would be a risk to safety.

A native East Londoner from Shadwell, he was always a left-winger and had been a member of the Communist Party in his younger days, although in more recent times he did not officially support any political group.

His opposition to the privatisation of transport industries remained steadfast, and when Baroness Thatcher died last year he famously commented that he would not be shedding 'one single tear', adding that "she destroyed industry in this country and as far as I am concerned she can rot in hell".

But since his unexpected death, people from all sides of the political spectrum have been paying tributes to his determination and ability, particularly at the negotiating table.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character. He fought tirelessly for his beliefs and his members."

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has also expressed his sadness. He said: "My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Like many, I will remember him as a passionate voice for safety on the railways and the wellbeing of those who work on them.

“While we may not always have agreed on how to run our railways, he was a powerful advocate who led his organisation from the front and made an important contribution to the debate around the future of rail services."

Stagecoach chairman Sir Brian Souter said: "Bob Crow was a passionate advocate for the country's railway. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his members and shared our focus on the critical importance of safety. His views on transport policy may often have been at odds with our own, but he was a man who commanded respect across the sector for his strength of belief in the causes he pursued. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time."

The chairman of the Rail Delivery Group Martin Griffiths said: “Bob Crow was rightly recognised as one of the rail industry’s most passionate voices, who championed the crucial role played by staff in delivering a safe service to passengers. The whole industry will be shocked and saddened to hear of his untimely death. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

Bob Crow belied his tough guy image when you met him, (writes Railnews managing editor Sim Harris). I remember him speaking with feeling and sincerity at the 2011 rally in Derby which was called to protest at the award of the Thameslink contract to Siemens rather than Derby-based Bombardier, and at which he shared a platform, probably uniquely, with Bombardier's UK representative Colin Walton.

I also met Bob at at a demonstration over fare rises and asked him not to smile quite so broadly when I photographed him, because the issue was an important one. He grinned even more, and then helpfully (the word obediently does not fit his personality) assumed an appropriately serious expression for me.

Many people have spoken with great respect of his negotiating ability, and in another life he would probably have succeeded as a businessman. Former Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher once commented to me: "Bob gets the strike ballot in his pocket first, and only then does he start negotiating".

Bob Crow, we will miss you.