LABOUR leader Ed Miliband and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown have today both paid tribute to Nottingham Forest owner Nigel Doughty, who was found dead yesterday.

Mr Doughty, 54, was found in the gym at his home in Skellington, Lincolnshire.

Mr Doughty, the co-founder of private equity firm Doughty Hanson & Co., was also a key supporter of the Labour party, having donated at least £3.5m in the last seven years as well as being on the board of assistant treasurers.

Labour leader Ed Miliband said he was 'shocked and saddened' to hear of Nigel Doughty's death.

He said: "I was with him only a week ago and he was full of life, enthusiasm and vigour.

"He was a kind, generous man with a deep desire to make the world a better place.

"My heart goes out to his wife Lucy and his children. We mourn his death deeply and will sorely miss him."

And former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Doughty would be remembered as a 'gentle giant, a good soft spoken man with a deep commitment to public service who, from his great success in business, became one of our country's most generous benefactors'.

He said: "For all his life he was loyal to all the causes that he had grown up with - his love for his team Nottingham Forest, the Labour Party, of which he was a life long supporter, and charitable causes that benefited from his generosity.

"I know him as a family friend and someone who supported the Labour Party and its leadership through thick and thin.

"He will be mourned by many who never knew him or met him but were beneficiaries of his commitment to good causes.

"My thoughts are with his widow Lucy and his whole family whom he loved so much."

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls tweeted: "What terrible, tragic news: the untimely death of Nigel Doughty - Labour supporting, Notts Forest owning, visionary business leader."

And former Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell tweeted: "Cannot believe the news about Nigel Doughty. Spoke to him Tuesday and he seemed really well. Great friend of Labour and of football. RIP."

Lincolnshire Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Doughty's death.

The spokesman would not reveal any further details relating to the death.

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