MPs, councillors, the police and other dignitaries from across East Lancashire have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after her death, aged 96.
Following the announcement by Buckingham Palace of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has released the following statements.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Cllr Phil Riley said today: “It is with great sadness that we learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth today. There is a sombre mood across the country and on behalf of the borough, I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family at this very sad time.”
Denise Park Chief Executive, added: “She has been a guiding light and source of inspiration over her reign of 70 years, and as public servants, it is a particularly poignant moment for all of us to hear of her passing.”
Cllr Suleman Khonat, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: “I am very sad to hear of the Queen’s passing. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a hugely respected monarch, both here and across the world.
“We have been lucky enough to recently celebrate her Platinum Jubilee and I have felt honoured to attend all the events across the borough to celebrate her long and fruitful reign.”
Cllr John Slater, Leader of the Conservative group in Blackburn with Darwen, added: “I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty on numerous occasions during my time in the Royal Navy. She always showed great interest in the people she met.
“She is undoubtedly one of our greatest monarchs and will be remembered as a knowledgeable, helpful and kind leader.”
The Union Flag at the Town Hall in Blackburn and Darwen will be flown at half-mast until the morning.
The Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Cosima Towneley said: “Although not unexpected, it has been impossible to prepare for a moment such as this. For most there has been nothing other than an Elizabethan era – Her Majesty has been our rock in storm and calm. A steady hand through momentous change.
"Hers has been a thoroughly lived life that faced its vicissitudes with grace, serenity, wisdom, fortitude, dignity, hope and humour.
"Burnley grieves – and our prayers lie with members of the Royal Family at this time.”
MPs from across East Lancashire have also paid tribute.
Kate Hollern MP for Blackburn said: “The death of Her Majesty the Queen brings immense sadness for all throughout Blackburn as it will for many across our country and throughout the world.
"Her Majesty served the United Kingdom and Commonwealth uncompromisingly for seven decades.
“My thoughts are with the entire Royal Family on this sad occasion.”
Sara Britcliffe MP for Hyndburn has said: “I am overwhelmed with sadness on the death of Her Majesty.
“I would like to pay tribute to an extraordinary woman who gave her entire life to the service of our country.
“I know I speak for my constituents when I say a heartfelt thank you to our Queen for always being by our side.
“We will miss her terribly. My thoughts are with the Royal Family. Thank you Ma’am.”
Andrew Stephenson MP for Pendle added: “Her Majesty the Queen’s contribution to the UK over her long reign has been immense.
“My thoughts and prayers and the thoughts and prayers of people across Pendle, the UK and the Commonwealth are with the Royal Family at this time.
“Having had the privilege to serve as Vice Chamberlain of Her Majesty’s Household 2018-2019, helping provide a link between Parliament and Buckingham Palace, I had the honour of meeting Her Majesty on several occasions and even telling her a few things about Pendle.
“Despite massive change happening during her reign, support for the monarchy remained consistently high, as did her personal popularity.
“Seeing all the flags and bunting across Pendle during the Jubilee, I know that many local people wanted to show their appreciation to a remarkable woman.”
Chairman of the Conservative and Unionist Party and MP for Darwen and Rossendale, Jake Berry said: “I know that this loss will be felt deeply by everyone in our Conservative family and throughout our country and the Commonwealth.
“Her Majesty The Queen served our nation for seventy glorious years, earning the respect, admiration and love of all her people.
“The expression of thanks from people across our United Kingdom and the Commonwealth at the Platinum Jubilee earlier this year was a testament to that heartfelt affection. We will all cherish our memories from that very special moment for the rest of our lives.
“This will be a difficult time for us all but I know we will all look after our fellow members as we look back over Her Majesty The Queen’s remarkable life and mourn her death."
Antony Higginbotham, MP for Burnley said: “It is with great sorrow and sadness what we have learnt of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen.
“She has been a constant presence in our lives, providing stability and continuity to our nation and to the world throughout her 70 year reign.
“Her loss will be felt by all of us, none more so than her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“Whilst she is now gone, her impact on our country will endure forever.”
Deputy Speaker in the House of Commons and MP for Ribble Valley, Nigel Evans said: “She has been a constant throughout my life and an unparalleled monarch who has shown selfless dedication and commitment to our country, the commonwealth and the world.
“My thoughts and love are with the Royal Family today. The people of the Ribble Valley have a special bond with her, she loved the borough.
“The debt of gratitude we owe her can never be repaid.”
House of Commons Speaker and MP for Chorley, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said: “Few of us in the House of Commons have ever known a time when Her Majesty was not there, so her passing has left a huge hole in our lives.
“She was our equilibrium, our history, our guide and our Queen - and we will miss her beyond measure.
“For all of us, the Queen has been a constant presence in our lives - a familiar as a member of the family, yet one who has exercised a calm and steadying influence over our country.
“Most of us have never known a time when she was not there.
“Her death is not only a tragedy for the Royal Family, but a terrible loss for us all.”
The High Sheriff of Lancashire, councils and other government led organisations, including the police have also paid tribute to Her Majesty.
Martin Ainscough DL, High Sheriff of Lancashire, said: "This is a time of great national sorrow and reflection. It is the close of the second Elizabethan era.
"Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was one of the most respected of dignitaries in the world.
"We were fortunate that in Lancashire we could also call her our Duke. Her Majesty has had a very special place in the hearts and lives of so many people here. Her passing will be even more deeply mourned locally because of her long devotion to, and interest in, the North West of England.
"As High Sheriff of Lancashire, I was appointed by Her Majesty through her role as the Duke of Lancaster, and it's been a great honour to serve her.
"We now look forward to welcoming the new King and there will shortly be a proclamation in Lancashire to mark the beginning of his reign."
Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: "As the Duke of Lancaster, Her Majesty had very close links with our county, not least through the Lancashire-based regiments of the armed forces.
"Her Royal Highness was well known to have had a great affection for Lancashire, particularly the Forest of Bowland, and she visited our county on many occasions, most latterly to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Duchy of Lancaster, when she visited Lancaster and Myerscough in 2015.”
Leader of Lancashire County Council, Cllr Phillippa Williamson said: "We share the country's deep sadness at the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. As reigning monarch she was also the Duke of Lancaster, as the new King will be, and had close links with our county, not least through the extensive holdings of the Duchy of Lancaster.
"For more than 60 years she was a constant in most of our lives, providing a shining example of a life lived in dignified duty and public service.
"She will be much missed, but as we look back on her reign with deep respect and affection we look forward with hope and optimism to the reign of the new King."
A spokesperson for Hyndburn Council said: “It is with great sadness we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Throughout Hyndburn flags will be flown at half-mast & people are invited to lay floral tributes outside Accrington Town Hall.”
A spokesperson for Pendle Council said: “The Mayor and Mayoress, councillors and staff of Pendle Borough Council are deeply saddened at the news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen today.”
Speaking on behalf of the police, Chief Constable Chris Rowley said: “On behalf of everyone here, I send our deepest condolences to The Royal Family. Flags will now be flown at half-mast.”
A spokesperson for fire service said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has passed away.
“Our deepest condolences are with the Royal Family at this very sad time.
“Flags at our fire stations will now be flown at half-mast to mark the national period of mourning.”
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