Express & Star

Tributes after pro-EU campaigner dies in plane crash

A Black Country MP has paid tribute to an anti-Brexit campaigner who died with his family in a tragic Sydney plane crash.

Published
Pat McFadden

Will Cousins, 25, had been on a family trip to Australia when the sightseeing sea plane he was aboard plunged into the Hawkesbury River some 30 miles north of the city.

He died along with his father Richard, the boss of catering giant Compass, who was due to retire this year after more than a decade at the helm of the firm.

His 23-year-old brother Edward was also killed, along with his father’s fiancee Emma Bowden, her 11-year-old daughter Heather and Candian-born pilot Gareth Morgan.

Mr Cousins was head of press for Open Britain, the successor to the Stronger In pro-EU campaign group during the EU referendum.

Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden was among those to pay tribute to him. The Labour MP, who supports Open Britain, said: "It is devastating news.

"Will was a brilliant committed young man working for a cause he believed in. He’ll be sorely missed by all of us who worked with him."

Open Britain chairman Roland Rudd said: “All of us at Open Britain are devastated by the tragic loss of Will and his family.

“Will was an extraordinary young man who was passionate about what he did; who took deep pride in his work; and came into the office every day with enthusiasm, energy and determination.

“Will saw his role at Open Britain as more than a job. For him, it was a cause akin to a crusade to stop Britain crashing out of the EU with no deal or a bad deal.

“Will was a great team player who loved the camaraderie of our young team and developed close relationships with all his colleagues. He will be missed beyond words.”