and a succinct summary of a political point". Fox continued: "His no-nonsense approach to politics made him a powerful voice for the West Midlands as well as a resolute defender of the British taxpayers' interests in Brussels and Strasbourg." As Bradbourn died without family, his former political chief of staff Alastair Little was legally declared his next-of-kin so that he could arrange Bradbourn's funeral. A funeral and cremation took place on 16 January 2015 at Bushbury crematorium, Wolverhampton. On 16 February Mr Little was advised by telephone that there had been an administration error at the Central England Co-operative Funeralcare mortuary, and that the wrong body had been released to the undertakers for Bradbourn's funeral. A similarly named Philip Bradburn had previously died at University Hospital Birmingham just before Christmas, and had been processed at the same mortuary, which handled bodies for several contracted NHS hospitals within the area. The correct body was then released to the undertakers, and a further funeral and cremation then took place on 23 February 2015 again at Bushbury crematorium. The Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, the Central England Co-operative, the affected undertakers and the crematorium are all investigating. Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour, a friend of Mr Bradbourn, said it was "inexplicable" that such an incident could happen: "We want to make sure this never happens again and I am sure the people who manage the hospital trusts concerned will have a full investigation and will tell everyone the results." References External links West Midlands Conservative MEP Team 1951 births 2014 deaths People from Tipton Conservative Party (UK) MEPs MEPs for England 1999–2004 MEPs for England 2004–2009 MEPs for England 2009–2014 MEPs for England 2014–2019 Deaths from colorectal cancer Deaths from cancer in England