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Tony Nicklinson dies at 58: Tributes pour in for 'locked in' man

Tony Nicklinson being cared for by his wife Jane at their home in Melksham

Tony Nicklinson has been hailed a "gutsy" and "extraordinary" man after he died from pneumonia today.

The 58-year-old, who died with his family gathered around him at his home in Melksham, Wiltshire, was paralysed from the neck down following a massive stroke in 2005.

He had last week lost his High Court appeal to enable doctors to legally end his life.

[Related article: Tony Nicklinson's last tweet as family say goodbye]



Friends paid tribute to the father-of-two and said he was a "strong character" who was devastated by the judges' High Court decision.

Gezz Higgins, 79, who played rugby alongside Mr Nicklinson, said he was nicknamed 'Royals' because his father had severed in the Royal Marines.

He said: "He was a very strong character. "We were good rugby pals - we both drank together before both of us were married. My wife and I went to his wedding in Dorset.

"I've been communicating by email with him so I know what his feelings are - his emails say he missed the days of playing at Cranbrook.

"He's always said he wished the doctors hadn't saved him after his stroke and should have let him take his natural course then - so he was determined from then.

"Because of his situation he didn't want to see anyone - some of the guys from Cranbrook wanted to visit him.

"It's not very dignified having strange people coming in cleaning up your private parts - who would want that for the rest of their life?"

[Related article: Locked-in syndrome: Shut out by a stroke]


Tony's LibDem MP Duncan Hames also paid tribute to the wheelchair-bound campaigner. He said: "Tony Nicklinson's determined struggle made a lasting impression on me and everyone else I know who met him.

"It is incredibly difficult for any of us to truly appreciate what daily life has been like for Tony and his family over the last seven years.

"His family have asked for some privacy at this time which I hope people will respect."

Saimo Chahal, Mr Nicklinson's lawyer, said: "He was gutsy, determined and a fighter to the end.

"It has been an absolute privilege for me and his barrister to have been his legal team. I only wish the outcome of the case could have been different during Tony's lifetime.

"I know that the right to die with dignity issues that Tony championed will not be forgotten due to the light that Tony shone on them and that this important debate will continue due to Tony.

"I know that Tony would want me to say thank you to all his supporters who gave him great comfort and strength."

A Ministry of Justice statement said: "The Government has the deepest sympathy for Mr Nicklinson's family following the news of his death."