'Clare's Law' campaigner Michael Brown, who championed new domestic violence legislation after the murder of his daughter, has died.
Clare Wood, 36, was murdered in Salford in 2009 by her ex-partner George Appleton, who had a history of violence against women.
Mr Brown - described as a 'powerhouse' whose legacy has saved lives - campaigned in her memory for a change in the law so women and men would be able to find out if a new partner has a history of domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme - known as Clare's Law after his daughter - first came into force in 2014.
The scheme gives police the discretion to disclose certain information about a partner's past.
Mr Brown, from Batley, West Yorkshire, died in hospital in Sheffield on Saturday after a short illness, his family has confirmed.
He was 76.
The former prison officer, who was originally from Aberdeen in Scotland, took the campaign to Downing Street alongside former Salford MP Hazel Blears and others to hand in a petition.
Clare's Law is now part of the Domestic Abuse Bill, which is passing through Parliament before receiving Royal Ascent and becoming law.
It means the scheme would be written into statute.
Mr Brown's sister, Carol Whicher, said: "We are devastated beyond words.
"Michael never stopped fighting after he lost his daughter Clare in such horrific circumstances.
"He didn't want anyone else to suffer the same fate she did and always said if he could save just one person from a life of domestic abuse, then his campaigning had been worth it.
"He had so much more to give.
"He was the best brother, pal and mentor a girl could ever wish for and he’ll be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."
Mr Brown was awarded a British Citizen Award for his campaigning earlier this year and was also a patron of the Endeavour Project, a domestic violence organisation in Bolton.
Writing on Facebook, they said: "Michael was a powerhouse.
"No one who heard him speak could fail to be moved by the passion and drive he brought to his campaigning.
"Driven by the appalling loss of his daughter, Clare, Michael had a determination that everyone had the right to know about the violent past of a partner.
"After the best part of a decade Clare's Law will finally become enshrined into law as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill currently going through parliament.
"There is no doubt Clare's Law saves lives. Thank you Michael. Your legacy has saved hundreds and will save thousands more."
Ms Wood was strangled and set on fire by evil Appleton at her home in Blackfriars, Salford, in February 2009.
Dubbed the 'Facebook Fugitive' he went on the run before taking his own life.
The mother-of-one had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his horrific history of violence against women, which included repeated harassment, threats and the kidnapping at knifepoint of one of his ex-girlfriends.
At an inquest into Ms Wood's death, a coroner said women in abusive relationships should have the right to know about the violent past of the men they were with.
Information can be disclosed via a request from a member of the public, known as a 'right to ask', or by an agency to protect a potential victim - known as a 'right to know'.
Former MP Ms Blears said Greater Manchester Police piloted and embraced the scheme, before it was rolled out nationally.
Paying tribute to Mr Brown, she said: "He loved his daughter very, very much and wanted to try to protect other people from a similar fate.
"He was one of the most determined men I have ever met. He was also incredibly gentle.
"It took us a long, long time to finally be able to enact Clare's Law.
"I would like to pay tribute to his steadfast determination that Clare's death should not have been in vain.
"Clare's Law has resulted in hundreds of lives being saved, and that is his legacy."
