It was inevitable that, one day, the dreaded news that Labour MP Karl Chircop lost the fight for his life would have arrived.

That news spread like wildfire yesterday afternoon when Dr Chircop was declared clinically dead, ending more than two months of suffering for family, relatives and friends, two months of slim hopes that he would have made it through his toughest battle.

Malta had been shocked when Dr Chircop was rushed to Mater Dei Hospital on 3 August following cerebral haemorrhage. The seriousness of his condition was immediately clear to one and all, and the family requested to be left alone as it stayed close to its beloved one.

When, three weeks later, Dr Chircop was flown to London for further treatment, many prayed and hoped that somehow there was light at the end of the tunnel, that Dr Chircop would have made it. There followed days of quiet, as the public and the media, perhaps like never before, respected the silence that Dr Chircop’s family had asked for.

That silence did not mean that Dr Chircop had been forgotten. Far from it. Yet the people, and the media, felt that the family should not be disturbed as it faced the uphill struggle with the same courage that Dr Chircop had always shown through his life.

That same silence was however shattered yesterday afternoon, when it became evident that all the medical efforts that had been made were not enough to save his life. Dr Chircop was declared clinically dead at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, and as a last gesture his family chose to keep the machines going to determine whether some of his organs could be donated.

With this last gesture, Dr Chircop and his family wanted to show the solidarity that Dr Chircop himself had always preached. Donating one’s organs is the biggest gift that anyone could give to society.

A death is always a big loss. When this death occurs at such a young age – Dr Chircop turned 43 a few days after he was admitted to hospital – it is even worse. The saying “the good die young” is of little consolation.

Dr Chircop was a vibrant politician, one who was never afraid to take a challenge and to speak his mind. He was convinced of the ideas he believed in, and worked hard to promulgate them, first of all in his own party and, through his party, to the public in general. His political opponents may not have agreed with them, but they respected the politician and his thoughts.

He carried out his political work meticulously, diligently and effectively, often going to great lengths in his research to find the best possible solution to problems he felt that Malta should have tackled better.

He was also a general practitioner, always having a kind word for his patients, and taking deep interest in their ailments. His hobbies included a great passion for his favourite football team, Liverpool FC.

The Labour Party has lost one of its more prominent members; someone who, in spite of his young age, was already considered as being among the most experienced; a serious politician who was well-versed in the subjects he spoke about, and carried out his job with sincerity and dedication.

But, most of all, Karl Chircop was a husband and a father, and nobody will miss him as much as his wife Adriana and his children will.

The Malta Independent joins in paying its respects and to show solidarity with Dr Chircop’s family.