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Mary Turner dead: GMB Union president and Labour executive dies Mary Turner dead: GMB Union president and Labour executive dies
(35 minutes later)
Mary Turner, the long standing president of the GMB union and Labour Party executive member has died.  Mary Turner, the long standing president of the GMB union and Labour Party executive member has died.
Former GMB general secretary Paul Kenny described her as the most outstanding woman trade unionist of her generation.
The former dinner lady from London had been ill for years but continued in her post as president, chairing the GMB's annual conference in Plymouth last month.The former dinner lady from London had been ill for years but continued in her post as president, chairing the GMB's annual conference in Plymouth last month.
Ms Turner received a CBE for her political service, particularly through the trade union movement, in recognition of her lifetime's work for trade union members throughout the UK. Ms Turner was awarded a CBE for her lengthy political service. This was particularly for her work in the trade union movement, and recognised her lifetime's work for trade union members throughout the UK.
Elected GMB national president in 1997, she was a union activist in the London borough of Brent for many years and represented the GMB on the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party. She was elected GMB national president in 1997, was a union activist in the London borough of Brent for many years and represented the GMB on the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party.
Former GMB general secretary Paul Kenny described her as one of the most outstanding trade unionists of her generation.
Mr Kenny said: "Mary never lost her roots. She was hard working and treated everyone the same - from prime ministers to cleaners.Mr Kenny said: "Mary never lost her roots. She was hard working and treated everyone the same - from prime ministers to cleaners.
"She was a powerful figure in the Labour Party as well as the trade union movement.""She was a powerful figure in the Labour Party as well as the trade union movement."
More follows… Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott paid tribute to Ms Turner on Twitter, saying: “So sad to hear that Mary Turner has passed away. Dinner lady, superstar and titan of the Labour movement #GMB.”
  Tim Roache, the current president of the GMB said: “Our great movement lost an incredible person and leader tonight with the passing of Mary Turner. A true fighter and inspiration to all.”
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband also praised Ms Turner’s work. On Twitter he said: “Mary Turner was an extraordinary battler for social justice, equality and working people. Labour has lost one of a kind and one of our best.”
Press Association contributed to this report