Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume dies

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and prominent Northern Ireland politician John Hume has died aged 83.

He died in a Londonderry nursing home following a long period of illness, reports BBC.

One of the highest-profile politicians in Northern Ireland for more than 30 years, he helped create the climate that brought an end to the Troubles.

He was one of the founding members of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in 1970 and went on to lead the party from 1979 until 2001.

Mr Hume played a major role in the peace talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

The former SDLP leader was widely admired for his steadfast commitment to peaceful, democratic politics during three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Tributes have been paid across the board by political leaders past and present, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in office when the peace deal was signed.

"John Hume was a political titan; a visionary who refused to believe the future had to be the same as the past," Mr Blair said.

"His contribution to peace in Northern Ireland was epic and he will rightly be remembered for it.

"He was insistent it was possible, tireless in pursuit of it and endlessly creative in seeking ways of making it happen."

Mr Hume has been hailed as a "great hero and a true peacemaker" by current Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin.

"During the darkest days of paramilitary terrorism and sectarian strife, he kept hope alive. And with patience, resilience and unswerving commitment, he triumphed and delivered a victory for peace," Mr Martin said.

Northern Ireland's First Minister Arlene Foster sent condolences to the Hume family and described the former SDLP leader as a "giant in Irish nationalism".

"In our darkest days he recognised that violence was the wrong path and worked steadfastly to promote democratic politics," the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader added.

Following the 1998 peace deal, Mr Hume was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, along with the then leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, David Trimble.

Lord Trimble also acknowledged Mr Hume's commitment to peace efforts in Northern Ireland.

"Right from the outset of the Troubles, John was urging people to stick to their objective peacefully and was constantly critical of those who did not realise the importance of peace," he said.

"He was a major contributor to politics in Northern Ireland, particularly to the process that gave us an agreement that we are still working our way through.

"That is hugely important. He will be remembered for that contribution for years to come."

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who co-signed the 1998 peace deal with Tony Blair, credited Mr Hume with the idea of ratifying the accord with different referenda on both sides of the Irish border.

"When the Good Friday Agreement was signed by Tony and I, he [Mr Hume] said: 'You put this to the people north and south and it will get the legitimacy of the people'.

"That was singularly his idea and it really was a bright idea," Mr Ahern told BBC Radio Five Live.

Irish President Michael D Higgins said Mr Hume had "transformed and remodelled politics in Ireland" and hailed his "personal bravery and leadership".

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described him as a "towering figure, a national icon".

Mr Hume had been suffering from dementia for many years.

He died in the early hours of Monday at Owen Mor nursing home in Derry.

In a statement, his family said: "John was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a brother.

"He was very much loved, and his loss will be deeply felt by all his extended family."

The family's statement added: "We would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt thanks to the care and nursing staff of Owen Mor nursing home in Derry.

"The care they have shown John in the last months of his life has been exceptional.

"As a family, we are unfailingly inspired by the professionalism, compassion, and love they have shown to John and all those under their care.

"We can never adequately show them our thanks for looking after John at a time when we could not.

"The family drew great comfort in being with John again in the last days of his life."