Dugher pays tribute to former Euro-MP and councillor Brian Key

Mr Key served in the European Parliament as the LabourMEP for South Yorkshire between 1979 and 1984.

He later went on to represent the Darfield ward on Barnsley Council from 2011 until his retirement last year.

Mr Key was born in Darfield in 1947 and went to school at Wath Grammar before studying politics, philosophy and economics at Liverpool University.

Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher said: “Barnsley has lost one of its finest sons in Brian Key. From the moment I first met Brian, he was incredibly warm and supportive.

“Brian was a distinguished Member of the European Parliament, but years later he chose to become a local councillor in Darfield because he was passionate about his home village and he knew he could make a difference.

“It was always such a pleasure to be out and about in Darfield with Brian.

“He loved the community, the characters and the conversations - he seemed to know everyone and everyone seemed to know him.

“I’ll always remember Brian as a very clever man, a Labour man through and through, and someone with an infectious and dry sense of humour.

“My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Lynn and with all of Brian’s many friends at this sad time”.

Mr Key did not contest the 1984 elections to the European Parliament and went on to work as a council officer and a school auditor.