Opposition MP Karl Chircop was declared dead yesterday, a Department of Information statement said.

The Malta Labour Party said in a statement that Dr Chircop was clinically dead as the life support machines he was on were due to be switched off after medical tests could determine which of his organs were suitable for donation.

Dr Chircop was receiving treatment at the National Institute of Neurology, Queen’s Square, London following a failure to recover from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage.

He had suffered the hemorrhage early in August and has been in a coma ever since. He was originally being treated at Mater Dei Hospital, but was later flown to London for specialist treatment.

Dr Chircop, aged 43, was surrounded by his family in the last two months. He had showed signs of improving but eventually succumbed to the brain injuries he had sustained as a result of the hemorrhage.

The Malta Independent and its sister publications pay tribute to Dr Chircop and express solidarity with his family, particularly is wife Adriana and four children. Dr Chircop was MLP spokesman for health.

Dr Chircop was born in August 1965 and graduated as a general practitioner in 1987. He was active in the University Students’ council and was also a member of the MLP’s youth wing.

Dr Chircop practiced medicine between 1987 and 1996, when he was returned to parliament for the first time, aged 31, from the fourth district. He was on various committees within the Council of Europe and was also on the Social Affairs Committee.

He was reelected in 1998 and was appointed opposition spokesman for Social Policy. In 2003 and 2008, he was again returned to parliament with Social Policy and Health being his two areas of responsibility in the respective legislatures.

Dr Chircop, who was known for remaining close to his constituents, also penned various reports for the Malta Labour Party.

In a statement issued by the Speaker of Parliament yesterday afternoon, Dr Galea expressed the sympathy of the House of Representatives who were very sorry to hear of the death of one of their colleagues.

“I assure you that in this difficult moment, we are all thinking of you and your children,” Dr Galea said while expressing solidarity of the House of Representatives with Mrs Chircop over the phone.

The House of Representatives would be marking the loss of its member Dr Karl Chircop at the beginning of today’s session.

In view of this tragic news, the Nationalist Party said that our country has lost an “exemplary and hard-working politician”.

The PN said it expressed solidarity with Dr Chircop’s family in such a difficult moment, adding that Dr Chircop’s loss will not only be felt by his family, whom he loved so much, but by the country as a whole.

The statement hailed Dr Chircop for being an exemplary politician who always distinguished himself for his work and dedication not only for the benefit of his constituents but for the whole Maltese population. It also hailed Dr Chircop for placing the national interest before any other consideration.

In a press release issued late yesterday evening, the Malta Labour Party said that tests were still under way to determine which of his organs were suitable for donation. Only after these tests are concluded will the machines be turned off.

Therefore, the party said it felt that it should wait for that moment before issuing an official statement regarding the death of Dr Chircop and his great contribution to our country and the party.