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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Mary Turner dead: GMB Union president and Labour executive dies | Mary Turner dead: GMB Union president and Labour executive dies |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| 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. |
| Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn led the tributes. | |
| He said: "I'm sad to hear of the death of my friend Mary Turner. Mary was such a great campaigner for people. We first worked together in the early 1980s defending school meals in Barnet and I last saw her at a Labour national executive meeting." | |
| He added: "She paved the way for so many women in the union movement and encouraged others to speak out. I send my condolences to Mary's family and her extended family at the GMB union. RIP Mary." | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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." |
| 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.” | 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 general secretary 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.” | 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 | Press Association contributed to this report |