BRADFORD politicians have been reacting to the news that prominent Northern Irish politician Martin McGuinness has died aged 66.

A former IRA leader, McGuinness went on to become a leading Sinn Fein politician, and served as deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 until January this year, when he stepped down due to ill health.

He played a pivotal role in the peace process in Northern Ireland, and was a key figure in Northern Irish politics up until his death.

Kris Hopkins, Conservative MP for Keighley, is also Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Following the death of Martin McGuinness, he said: “I wish to convey my personal condolences to the McGuinness family following their loss.

“As a former soldier who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Martin McGuinness and I were once on different sides.

“However, over recent decades, I have watched his journey - initially with scepticism and then with admiration.

“Since being appointed as a Northern Ireland Office Minister, I have learnt much more about the role he played in securing a lasting peace.

“His contribution to the political process in Northern Ireland will be greatly missed.”

However, the legacy left by McGuinness was viewed in the same way by Councillor Simon Cooke.

Cllr Cooke, leader of the Bradford Council Conservative Group, said Martin McGuinness is "not a man worth celebrating".

He said: "I think it's difficult to have any sympathy for a man given he led the campaign of murder and terror not just in Northern Ireland, but in England as well.

"He never admitted to it, was never strong enough to say, 'we did these things', and never good enough or brave enough to ask for forgiveness.

"We are expected to be pleased because he got peace in Northern Ireland by stopping the terrorism he was responsible for.

"It is good we now have peace in Northern Ireland and we do have to thank him for getting peace, but I do not think he is a man worth celebrating."