Tributes have continued to pour in for Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey following his death last week.

Mr Malarkey died aged 68 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Pamela and three daughters.

This week’s House of Keys sitting was due to start with a tribute and period of silence in his honour.

President of Tynwald Steve Rodan said ’members of Tynwald are deeply saddened at the loss of our friend and colleague’.

Mr Malarkey was first elected to the Keys in 2006.

He lost his seat in 2011, returning in 2015 and being re-elected again in 2016.

He represented Murray’s ward on Douglas Council from April 2012 to May 2015.

Mr Rodan said: ’We admired his brave fight against illness and his determination to carry out his public duties despite it. His tenacity and straight talking in debate made him a great parliamentarian during his 10 years in Tynwald, and he will be much missed.

’We are thankful for the privilege of knowing and working with him, and for his dedicated service to the island.

’Our thoughts and prayers are with Pamela and Bill’s family as we share their sorrow.’

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said he is ’a better person for knowing Bill’.

He added: ’He put his heart and soul into being MHK for Douglas South and he was passionate about being Minister for Home Affairs.

’Right at the end he was working in the House of Keys. He fought his illness like you wouldn’t believe.’

Speaker of the House of Keys Juan Watterson said the Keys would be mourning ’a proud Manxman, colleague and parliamentarian’.

He added: ’Bill was certainly a fighter. He fought hard to get into the House of Keys, and when there he fought hard for the people of Douglas South.

’He fought hard for those who often didn’t have a voice and was very proud of his time in the Department of Social Care and as Minister of Home Affairs where he could make a difference to our island’s most vulnerable.

’When he was diagnosed, he was again determined to fight. Supported by Pamela and his daughters, he defied the odds of recovery time after time.’

Douglas Council leader David Christian said: ’As a member of the council and, later, as a member of the House of Keys, Bill Malarkey always applied himself to serving the people of Douglas and the Isle of Man with integrity and total commitment, he said.

’His contribution to the work of the council was invaluable, not least his impassioned championing of environmental causes.

’To all his roles Bill brought a business insight and understanding of the needs and expectations of the people he represented.

’In local and central government Bill Malarkey made a very real difference and a lasting impression. He will be sadly missed and on behalf of the council I offer my sincere condolences to his wife and family.’

As Minister, Mr Malarkey oversaw the development of three significant pieces of legislation, including the Domestic Abuse Bill which seeks to make domestic abuse a crime in its own right for the first time in the island.

He also oversaw the introduction of the Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Bill which aims to modernise existing law, and was responsible too for finalising the development of the Justice Reform Bill.

The Minister was a keen advocate for the rehabilitation of offenders and championed the opening of the new bail hostel in Tromode.

Mr Malarkey was also a key figure in securing the future of the Pinewood Social Club after brewery Heron and Brearley announced it was closing the pub in Pulrose.

Having saved the pub, Mr Malarkey became the club’s first chairman.

A celebration of life takes place at St George’s Church, Douglas, on Saturday at noon.

Those attending are asked to wear something colourful.