TRIBUTES have been paid to trade unionist and socialist stalwart John Ferguson, who unexpectedly passed away at the weekend.

Flags outside Salford City Council headquarters have been lowered as a mark of respect to Mr Ferguson after he died following a short illness.

He was a Labour councillor for Pendlebury and was the council’s lead on industrial relations.

Mr Ferguson began his working life as a draughtsman on Salford’s Trafford Park industrial estate in the 1960s.

He was an active member of the Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section (Tass) trade union and the Communist Party.

He later joined Labour, becoming an influential political figure in north-west England.

At the time of his death, Mr Ferguson served on Labour’s north-west regional board.

He was also chair of Salford City Labour Party and Salford and Eccles Constituency Labour Party.

Labour shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey MP, who was a close friend of Mr Ferguson, said: “His commitment to equality, socialism and the betterment of our people will inspire all of us for generations to come.

“Living a good life is knowing you tried to leave the world in a better place than when you came into it. John can honestly be proud he did that.”

Salford’s Labour Mayor Paul Dennett said: “John was a selfless man, a hard-working and deeply committed socialist, always fighting for a better and fairer Salford and world.

“He will never be forgotten.”