Ann Clwyd: Tony Blair and Mark Drakeford pay tribute to ex MP

Sir Tony Blair and Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford have paid tribute to former Labour MP Ann Clwyd, who has died at the age of 86.

She represented the Cynon Valley constituency for 35 years, and became the oldest woman to sit in the House of Commons before standing down in 2019.

The former BBC journalist served as an MEP before she was first elected as an MP in a 1984 by-election.

She held many posts including shadow secretary of state for Wales.

In 1994, she staged a sit-in at Tower Colliery, near Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in protest at British Coal's decision to close the pit.

The miners were given the go-ahead to re-open the colliery the following year, after pooling their redundancy money to take it over. It continued producing coal until 2008.

She was Sir Tony's special envoy in Iraq and she campaigned on the NHS following the death of her husband Owen Roberts in 2012.

Sir Tony called her a "courageous, fearless, principled political campaigner" who campaigned for the "poor and oppressed" throughout the world.

"She didn't flinch from speaking her mind, no matter what the personal or political cost," he said.

"She fought the case of those employed in the coal industry, persuading my government to correct the failure to compensate former miners for the ill health they suffered through mining.

"And having spent a large part of her life standing up against the brutal repression of the Kurdish people in Iraq, she supported the removal of Saddam Hussein, not only when it was relatively easy to do so, but when the going got tough."

Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer also paid tribute, saying: "Ann was a leading figure in the Labour Party, dedicating her life to our movement."

First Minster Mark Drakeford said: "She was a fearless campaigner, a defender of human rights and a trailblazer for female politicians, but above all of these - a long-term, dedicated servant of the people of Cynon Valley."

Cardiff Central Labour MP Jo Stevens tweeted that Ms Clwyd "was a trailblazer for women, not just in Wales but across the UK and abroad".

She said Ms Clwyd was "determined, passionate, fierce and stood her ground".

"Ann was also very kind, funny and loyal to her many friends and constituents," she added.

"I'll miss her. She was one of a kind."

Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative Senedd group leader, said he was "saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Clwyd".

"A formidable figure, she never shied away from fighting for her beliefs, standing on principle no matter who that may have upset," he tweeted.

"She was a passionate servant of the people of the Cynon Valley and will be deeply missed."

Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan said Ms Clwyd was a "pioneer and the only political female role model for women in Wales over a long period".

"She was a true radical and was inspired by her early years serving as a Euro MP before going on to make a significant impact in Westminster," she tweeted.

Beth Winter, who took over Ms Clwyd as Labour MP for Cynon Valley, said her "thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time".

"Her work over so many years for women's rights, international justice and the miners will be remembered," she wrote.

In a tweet, Carwyn Jones, former first minister and Member of the Senedd said: "Ann served her constituency faithfully for so many years. My thoughts are very much with her family."

And Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner tweeted that Ms Clwyd had been a "determined voice for the people she represented".

"She will be much missed. My condolences to her family," she added.

They don't make them like that any more.

A conviction politician who managed to stand up for those close to home and those abroad, to rise to positions of seniority in her party, but not let that get in the way of what she thought was right.

Despite the scrapes and the high-profile interests further afield, to someone with Cynon Valley heritage, home seemed closest to her heart.

And on a personal level she was great fun to interview - woe betide you if you weren't completely on your game.