Tributes have been paid to the veteran economist John Simpson who has died aged 90.
Mr Simpson passed away at Antrim Area Hospital on Monday following a short illness.
A former economics lecturer at Queen’s University, his lengthy career spanned the higher echelons of academia, public life and the media in the north.
Mr Simpson was the Belfast Telegraph’s longest serving columnist and had continued writing for the newspaper and its sister publication, Ulster Business, until shortly before his illness.
Belfast Telegraph business editor Margaret Canning said: “John made a huge contribution to our coverage and we will truly miss him.
"He was always utterly impartial and independent-minded, and that ensured he had the ear of many influential people.
"True to his unflagging work ethic, John was concerned about his deadlines right up until the end. We’ll miss him hugely.”
Ulster Bank’s chief economist Richard Ramsey said John Simpson “told people what they needed to know not what they wanted to hear”.
“John’s contribution to economics over the years has been massive,” he said. “He will be sorely missed by both economists and non-economists.”
Queen’s University senior lecturer and economist Graham Brownlow described Mr Simpson as “a gentleman”.
“He wrote some very fine academic papers about public finance, unemployment and a range of other topics before becoming the 'go to' media commentator on the Northern Ireland economy.”
The former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Sterling, said: “John was a true gentleman and a very fine economist.
“Forensic in his analysis - he was one of the few people who read departmental accounts - and never to be taken lightly at interview. He’ll be sorely missed. Deep condolences to all his family.”
John Simpson is survived by his two daughters, Joanne and Susan, and grandsons Ryan and Connor.