An MP has paid tribute to the former South African president.

Nelson Mandela passed away at his home in Johannesburg last night at the age of 95.

Dartford's MP Gareth Johnson said: "I was saddened by the news that Nelson Mandela had passed away.

"What always struck me about him was his lack of bitterness.

"Despite being imprisoned for nearly thirty years he remained a man of great compassion and forgiveness.

"He had a unique capacity to unite the people of South Africa and bring pride to a nation which had so long seen its people divided."

Across the globetoday crowds of people are paying tribute to Mr Mandela and flags are flying at half mast.

Mr Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 and his government put an end to apartheid; the enforced segregation of black and white people and oppression by the white-minority over the black-majority.

Pay your own tribute and tell us what Nelson Mandela meant to you by commenting below, or emailing dartfordmessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk.