Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said Mr Ervine was a "talented, courageous and an honest politician".

BBC: NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Stormont silent in Ervine tribute

That he was an unusually open, honest and no-nonsense politician did not make him unsuited for the profession, only uncommon.

CNN: America Says Farewell To Barry Goldwater

As a politician, he was honest but outspoken, principled but stubborn.

BBC: Obituary: Sir Edward Heath

Are the unions so cynical that they can't countenance a politician who's intellectually honest and sincere about reforming government?

WSJ: The Weekend Interview with Gina Raimondo: The Democrat Who Took on the Unions

Critics of the government say that recent scandals point to a pervasive culture of corruption in Mr Singh's administration - adding to the difficulties of a politician once seen as India's most honest.

BBC: Corruption 'threatens India's economic growth'