Tribute to David Idowu from Simon Hughes MP

5.46.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 22nd Aug 2008

It was a sinful and wicked deed that led to the death of David Idowu. It was a tragedy that his life was taken so young. In this terrible adversity, David's family have been the most wonderfully brave and courageous people whose Christian faith has been their rock and their encouragement in every moment of the last dark days.

It was a privilege to join the large numbers of family, friends, neighbours and school colleagues at David's funeral and burial in Southwark this week.

The tributes by the Principal of Walworth Academy and by David's family made absolutely clear what a great young citizen of our borough David was.

I have no doubt tat all of us who have known David and his family will be even more determined that ever that young people in our city do not have to behave with the violence that took David's life. In his memory, and that of all those other young people who have needlessly lost their lives, we will work for the safer and more civilised South London which we all are determined to see.

Simon Hughes, MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey