Sandbach MP Fiona Bruce has paid tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in the House of Commons this week.

Following the death of the Queen's husband last Friday, MP's returned to the House of Commons early from their Easter recess to pay tribute to his decades of service.

Mrs Bruce said: "On behalf of the residents of Congleton, I pay tribute to and give thanks for the life of dedicated service of His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and convey our sincerest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and the royal family.

"I hope and trust that the Queen's deep faith in Christ, which she has publicly referred to many times, will be of great comfort at this time."

She described the late Duke as "a thinker with a theologically inquiring mind", referencing his lesser-known "depth of faith".

"He founded St George's House at Windsor, a conference centre where clergy and lay people gather to discuss and explore issues," Mrs Bruce said.

Another point of praise from the MP was Prince Philip's collaborations to write three books on the subject of faith, including one entitled 'The Windsor Correspondence' which ranged in topics, including science and Christianity.

Mrs Bruce hailed the Duke's "promoted interfaith dialogue" amongst religious communities.

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"In 1986, he gathered leaders of a range of world faiths to consider with environmentalists how together they could work to better sustain the natural world," she noted.

Concluding her tribute, Mrs Bruce said: "In closing, and speaking as the Prime Minister's special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, I refer to the tribute from the Council of Christians and Jews, which expressed gratitude for Prince Philip's contribution to strengthening relationships between those faiths and expressed confidence that for 'those who work for reconciliation and cooperation between people of different faiths and communities his legacy of quiet and faithful service will continue to be an inspiration to all'."