Alistair Darling was a rare exception: a politician who quietly got things done

As chancellor during the financial crisis he showed great wisdom and courage, and he played a huge part in keeping the UK intact in the Scottish referendum

• Former chancellor Alistair Darling dies aged 70
• How underrated chancellor Alistair Darling helped weather financial crisis

The news of Alistair Darling's death on Thursday came as a terrible shock to us all. A statesman of unimpeachable integrity and a man driven by a deep sense of social justice, twice in his career he stepped up when his country needed him and demonstrated a level of wisdom, courage and calmness that is granted to only the most exceptional of politicians and public figures.

The first was when, as chancellor of the exchequer during the 2007 global financial crash, it fell on him to manage the Treasury during an existential national crisis in which our major banks came within hours of collapse. He emerged from that shock with his reputation immeasurably enhanced; and as prime minister during that time, I found myself often grateful for his judgment. For his wry humour too: I well remember him telling me once - eyebrows arched - of the bank executive who claimed that he only now had become aware of the risks he was taking.

Gordon Brown was UK prime minister from 2007 to 2010