Watch: British political rivals lay differences aside to share tributes to footballer Gordon Banks

Watch: British political rivals lay differences aside to share tributes to footballer Gordon Banks
Copyright  Reuters
By Rachael Kennedy

UK Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn laid their political rivalry to one side on Wednesday to pay a tribute to footballer Gordon Banks.

In a rare move for British politics, UK Prime Minister Theresa May and opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn laid aside their differences on Wednesday to pay a shared tribute to the late footballer Gordon Banks.

Banks, the English World Cup-winning goalkeeper, died on Tuesday, aged 81.

"He was one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time," Corbyn said in a tribute in parliament on Wednesday.

"Seventy-three caps for England, including playing in every single game during the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, which I remember with joy."

Finding some rare common ground with her political rival,  May also sent condolences to Banks' next of kin.

"Like the right honourable gentleman [Corbyn], I am old enough to remember the 1966 World Cup," she said.

Amid laughter from her fellow MPs, May went on to joke: "Now let's be honest in this House, I think that's important."

Turning back to her tribute, she added: "He was regarded as one of the world's greatest goalkeepers, but I also know that he did a lot of community work in his local area as well."

"And I know members from all sides of the House would like to join me in paying tribute to him," she said, with Corbyn nodding in agreement.

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