FORMER Billericay MP Teresa Gorman has died aged 83, her family has confirmed.
Ms Gorman trained as a teacher before being elected as a Tory in the town in 1987, a seat she held until 2001.
She was a prominent figure in the rebellions over Europe that nearly brought down John Major's government - having the Conservative whip withdrawn for refusing to back the EC finance bill in 1994.
Former Southend MP Sir Teddy Taylor said: "She was one of the 'old school' who was more concerned with what was right and wrong, rather than party politics.
"She was a good, sincere person who worked hard. It is very sad news."
In recent years she shifted her allegiance to Ukip, and voted for the party at the general election in May.
Sad to hear of the death of friend Teresa Gorman, a devout eurosceptic and Maastricht rebel.
— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) August 28, 2015
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