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Fidel Castro: Jeremy Corbyn praises 'huge figure' Fidel Castro: Jeremy Corbyn praises 'huge figure'
(35 minutes later)
Fidel Castro, who has died at the age of 90, was a "huge figure in our lives" Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said. Fidel Castro, who has died aged 90, was a "huge figure in our lives", Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said.
Mr Corbyn praised the former Cuban president's revolutionary "heroism", his presence on the world stage and Cuba's health and education systems.Mr Corbyn praised the former Cuban president's revolutionary "heroism", his presence on the world stage and Cuba's health and education systems.
Mr Castro's death was announced by his younger brother Raul Castro, his successor as president of Cuba.Mr Castro's death was announced by his younger brother Raul Castro, his successor as president of Cuba.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Fidel Castro was an "historic, if controversial figure".Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said Fidel Castro was an "historic, if controversial figure".
Mr Johnson expressed the UK's condolences to the government and people of Cuba, and said Mr Castro's death marked "the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba's people".Mr Johnson expressed the UK's condolences to the government and people of Cuba, and said Mr Castro's death marked "the end of an era for Cuba and the start of a new one for Cuba's people".
He added: "The UK will continue to work with the government of Cuba on a wide range of foreign policy priorities, including on human rights."He added: "The UK will continue to work with the government of Cuba on a wide range of foreign policy priorities, including on human rights."
Former Labour London mayor Ken Livingstone called Castro an "absolute giant" of the 20th century.
Former Labour MP George Galloway tweeted a picture of himself with Castro, writing: "You were the greatest man I ever met Comandante Fidel. You were the man of the century."
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Former Labour London mayor Ken Livingstone called Castro an "absolute giant" of the 20th century.
Former Labour MP George Galloway tweeted a picture of himself with Castro, writing: "You were the greatest man I ever met Comandante Fidel. You were the man of the century."
'Outlasted''Outlasted'
Mr Corbyn, a long-time supporter of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign - which campaigns against the blockade on, and foreign intervention in, Cuba - described Castro as a "huge figure of modern history, national independence and 20th century socialism".Mr Corbyn, a long-time supporter of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign - which campaigns against the blockade on, and foreign intervention in, Cuba - described Castro as a "huge figure of modern history, national independence and 20th century socialism".
He said: "From building a world-class health and education system, to Cuba's record of international solidarity abroad, Castro's achievements were many.He said: "From building a world-class health and education system, to Cuba's record of international solidarity abroad, Castro's achievements were many.
"For all his flaws, Castro's support for Angola played a crucial role in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa and he will be remembered both as an internationalist and a champion of social justice.""For all his flaws, Castro's support for Angola played a crucial role in bringing an end to apartheid in South Africa and he will be remembered both as an internationalist and a champion of social justice."
He said there had recently been much change in Cuba, but said economic progress must go hand in hand with human and free-speech rights.He said there had recently been much change in Cuba, but said economic progress must go hand in hand with human and free-speech rights.
He also noted that none of the 10 US Presidents Castro outlasted, some of whom pledged to bring about his downfall, managed it.He also noted that none of the 10 US Presidents Castro outlasted, some of whom pledged to bring about his downfall, managed it.
"It is to the credit of both the Castros that they and President Obama reached an accord and reached an agreement so that there are now better, more normal relationships between Cuba and the USA," he said."It is to the credit of both the Castros that they and President Obama reached an accord and reached an agreement so that there are now better, more normal relationships between Cuba and the USA," he said.
In London, Latin American ambassadors, academics and activists, gathered at a conference to remember Fidel Castro.
The Cuban ambassador to the United Kingdom, Teresita Vicente Sotolongo, described the former president as a "very warm person".
"I don't think we were ever prepared to think that he's not here in person, not with us. But I am confident his legacy we will go on," she said.
Rob Miller, from the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, met Fidel Castro as a teenager and described him as "charming" and "very interested in our lives".
"Fidel embodies that David and Goliath spirit that has seen Cuba develop its own ways and its own politics, its own destiny," said Mr Miller.
A book of condolence will be opened at the Cuban embassy in London.
'Criticised''Criticised'
Mr Livingstone told Radio 4's Today programme: "Of course Fidel did things that were wrong. Initially he wasn't very good on lesbian and gay rights."Mr Livingstone told Radio 4's Today programme: "Of course Fidel did things that were wrong. Initially he wasn't very good on lesbian and gay rights."
He stressed the health and education successes and even distribution of wealth under Castro, but said he believed over time Cuba would move towards "something like a traditional west European democracy".He stressed the health and education successes and even distribution of wealth under Castro, but said he believed over time Cuba would move towards "something like a traditional west European democracy".
Former Labour Cabinet minister and anti-apartheid leader Peter Hain praised Cuban troops' defeat on South Africa's troops in Angola in 1988, as a "vital turning point in the struggle against apartheid".Former Labour Cabinet minister and anti-apartheid leader Peter Hain praised Cuban troops' defeat on South Africa's troops in Angola in 1988, as a "vital turning point in the struggle against apartheid".
But he added that Castro was "criticised, rightly, for his attacks on human rights and curbs on free speech and his attitude towards gay Cubans which were indefensible".But he added that Castro was "criticised, rightly, for his attacks on human rights and curbs on free speech and his attitude towards gay Cubans which were indefensible".