Tributes flow in for Lords leader

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy has led the tributes following the death of House of Lords leader, Lord Williams of Mostyn.

Lord Williams died on Saturday aged 62 after collapsing suddenly at his home in Gloucestershire. No further details have been released.

Paying tribute, Mr Murphy said: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Gareth William's death. He was a personal friend who I shall miss terribly. As a fellow Welshman, I first worked with him when we were both spokesmen on Northern Ireland under Mo Mowlam.

"He played a significant role in the Northern Ireland peace process, most recently piloting important legislation though the House of Lords. He was a frequent visitor to Northern Ireland and he will be missed deeply by his many friends here."

Speaking from Tel Avi, where he was attending the 80th birthday of Nobel peace laureate Shimon Peres, Ulster Unionist Party leader, David Trimble expressed his sadness at the news.

He added: "I am shocked at this terrible news. I was due to be having lunch with Gareth Williams next week at Hillsborough castle. He was not only an outstanding Leader of the Lords but, in the mid-1990’s, a well-informed Labour spokesman on Northern Ireland.

"On a personal level, I knew Gareth well. It was a great privilege to receive an honorary degree from the University of Wales when he was Pro-Chancellor. He will be missed by Members of both Houses from all sides."

A Cabinet minister, QC and former chair of the Bar Council, Lord Williams had been a member of the Blair government since 1997. He held various government posts and moved from the Home Office to become Attorney General. After the 2001 election, he moved on to the Upper House and became Leader of the House of Lords.

(MB/SP)