Former Labor MP Ann Clwyd dies aged 86 as Tony Blair pays tribute to 'fearless campaigner'

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Sir Tony Blair has paid tribute to former Labor MP Ann Clwyd who died aged 86.

She represented the constituency of Cynon Valley in South Wales for 35 years, becoming the oldest woman to sit in the House of Commons before stepping down in 2019.

Ms Clywd was first elected as Member of Parliament for Cynon Valley in a by-election in 1984, having served as MEP for Mid and West Wales for five years in the European Parliament.

The former journalist has held a range of senior opposition posts, including Shadow Welsh Secretary and Shadow Secretary for International Development.

She spoke her mind no matter what the personal or political cost

Sir Tony Blair

As a backbencher, she campaigned to highlight Saddam Hussein's atrocities against Iraqi Kurds and was a strong supporter of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Her family said she died e peacefully at her home in Cardiff on Friday evening.

Former Labor leader Sir Tony said: 'Ann was a courageous, fearless and principled political campaigner, whose politics remained firmly committed to representing the poor and downtrodden wherever she found them.

"She did not shy away from speaking her mind, whatever the personal or political cost.

"She defended u the cause of those employed in the coal industry, persuading my government to correct the failure to compensate former miners for the health problems they suffered from mining.

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"She was an outspoken advocate for better health care, generally using her own experience to advocate on behalf of others.

"And after spending much of her life opposing 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, but when the going got tough.

"I admired him immensely and am deeply so...