Former minister and Welsh MEP Baroness Glenys Kinnock dies aged 79

Her husband, the ex-Labour Party leader Lord Kinnock, was by her side when she passed away peacefully in London this morning

Baroness Glenys Kinnock pictured in 2016
Author: Patrick Daly, PA / Jonny FreemanPublished 3rd Dec 2023

Baroness Glenys Kinnock - a former minister, MEP for Wales and the wife of ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock - has died at the age of 79.

Her family said she died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday with her husband and former Labour Party leader Lord Kinnock by her side.

She served as a minister in Sir Tony Blair's Labour government and also represented Wales in the European Parliament as an MEP.

Her family, which includes Labour MP Stephen Kinnock and daughter Rachel, said they were "devastated" by her death.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called her a "true fighter" for the party as he paid tribute to her life and career.

"On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I want to pay tribute to Glenys Kinnock on the sad news of her passing.

"Glenys was a passionate lifelong campaigner for social justice at home and abroad.

"She supported Neil through his leadership and went on to have an impressive political career of her own as a member of the European Parliament, in the House of Lords and as a minister in the last Labour government, focused on Europe and Africa.

"Neil and Glenys had the most wonderful partnership, there for each other through thick and thin, with a love and commitment that was instantly obvious when you saw them together. As the family have detailed, in recent years that meant looking after Glenys as Alzheimer's did its worst.

"But what we will all remember is Glenys as a true fighter for the Labour Party and the values of the labour movement, a pioneering woman, to whom we owe an enormous debt. My sincere condolences to Neil, Stephen, Rachel and all the family at this sad time."

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