The Leader of Cambridge City Council, Councillor Lewis Herbert, has added his tribute to Professor Stephen Hawking as the flag at the City Council’s Guildhall is lowered by the Council to half mast, following Stephen’s death today (14 March) at his home in Cambridge.

Councillor Herbert said: “The Council is lowering the Cambridge Guildhall flag today to remember our city’s most famous and respected citizen, Professor Stephen Hawking.  He was a world renowned champion of science and rational thought and a champion of his home city of Cambridge. He was also a fierce defender of the National Health Service that looked after him so diligently, and was implacably opposed to current Government plans to the fragment it.  An essential part of his enduring legacy will be to inspire all those like him who support the NHS, that helped him for so long, to grow stronger and instead of constant undermining be properly funded for the whole of the century we live in.”

The Chair of Cambridge Labour, Maureen Donnelly, has also paid tribute to Professor Stephen Hawking, who was a long time member of the Labour Party in Cambridge.

Ms Donnelly said: “Professor Hawking’s brilliant mind and remarkable life was an inspiration to millions all over the world and we were honoured to have him as a member of Cambridge Labour for the past 21 years. As well as unlocking the wonders of the cosmos for the ordinary person, he was also a passionate defender of the NHS. We send our sympathies to his family and will always remember his courage, humour and determination to get the most from his life.“