Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell dies Sir Stuart represented the safe seat of Middlesbrough since 1983 after a career in journalism and law. He also published novel and short stories. Although he never served as a minister, Sir Stuart was Labour's Northern Ireland spokesman during the 1980s and Trade and Industry spokesman in the early 1990s. He later served as chairman of the committee that overseas the cost of running the House of Commons and represented MPs during the expenses scandal three years ago. Sir Stuart's death raises the prospect of another by-election early in the new year. A by-election will be held in Corby next month and another in Croydon North in the new year. The Middlesbrough MP leaves behind his wife Margaret and a son, as well as two children from an earlier marriage.