Martin McGuinness's past should not be forgotten, says Shropshire MP Owen Paterson

The ex-IRA commander and Sinn Fein veteran died aged 66 after a short illness.

He was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at the end of last year and died in hospital in his hometown of Derry surrounded by family members.

Owen Paterson, who was Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said Mr McGuinness' lifelong aim had been for a united Ireland.

He said that the two had had a cordial and constructive relationship. But Mr Paterson said he could not condone Mr McGuinness' early years.

The Deputy First Minister's last major act as a politician was to pull down the powersharing executive at Stormont when he resigned in protest at the Democratic Unionists' handling of a green energy scandal.

He announced his retirement from front line politics 10 days later.

His journey from gunman to statesman saw him shake hands with the Queen and forge an unlikely friendship with Unionist Ian Paisley. The couple became known in Northern Ireland as the Chuckle Brothers, such was the closeness of their relationship.

Speaking from his office in Westminster, Mr Paterson said his relationship with Mr McGuinness had been cordial and constructive.

"I served as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2010 and as Secretary of State from 2010 to 2012," he said.

"During that time, Martin McGuinness was Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, pursuing his lifelong political aim of a united Ireland by peaceful, democratic means.

"Although we did not agree on the future of Northern Ireland, we built up a perfectly cordial and constructive relationship."

As tributes were made to Mr McGuinness, Mr Paterson said victims of IRA terror should not be forgotten.

"I cannot condone his earlier years, in which he pursued his political ambitions through a shockingly violent terrorist campaign," he said.

This caused death, destruction and ruined many lives. Whilst his later renunciation of violence was undoubtedly vital in fostering peace among the wider republican movement, we should not forget the many victims of terror who were not given such a choice."

In 2012 when The Queen shook hands with Mr McGuinness Mr Paterson said it was the right thing to have happened.

Speaking at the time he said noone should underestimate the pain felt by the royal family at the murder of Lord Mountbatten.

"The Queen should meet all elected public officials during her Jubilee tour and doesn't have to agree with the political views of everyone she meets," he said.

Mr McGuinness, who lived in the Bogside area of Derry his whole life, is survived by his wife Bernie and four children.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams paid tribute to his lifelong friend.

"Throughout his life Martin showed great determination, dignity and humility and it was no different during his short illness," he said.

"He was a passionate republican who worked tirelessly for peace and reconciliation and for the reunification of his country.

"But above all he loved his family and the people of Derry and he was immensely proud of both."

Prime Minister Theresa May said Mr McGuinness "played a defining role" in leading the Republican movement away from violence.

"First and foremost, my thoughts are with the family of Martin McGuinness at this sad time," she said.

"While I can never condone the path he took in the earlier part of his life, Martin McGuinness ultimately played a defining role in leading the republican movement away from violence.

"In doing so, he made an essential and historic contribution to the extraordinary journey of Northern Ireland from conflict to peace."

Mr Paisley's son Kyle tweeted: "Very sorry to hear about the passing of Martin McGuinness.

"Look back with pleasure on the remarkable year he and my father spent in office together and the great good they did together. Will never forget his ongoing care for my father in his ill health."

President of Ireland Michael D Higgins led tributes from the Irish Republic, saying Mr McGuinness's death left a gap that would be hard to fill.