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Nelson Mandela death: UK Parliament plans tribute Nelson Mandela death: UK Parliament plans tribute
(about 1 hour later)
The UK Parliament is to host a special ceremony to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela, who has died aged 95.The UK Parliament is to host a special ceremony to commemorate the life of Nelson Mandela, who has died aged 95.
Sources say the event will be for a wide range of people whose lives were influenced by the former South African president.Sources say the event will be for a wide range of people whose lives were influenced by the former South African president.
Prime Minister David Cameron led UK political tributes to the anti-apartheid crusader.Prime Minister David Cameron led UK political tributes to the anti-apartheid crusader.
He hailed the "extraordinary generosity and sense of forgiveness that he had for those who done him so much harm".He hailed the "extraordinary generosity and sense of forgiveness that he had for those who done him so much harm".
Mr Cameron signed a condolence book for Mr Mandela at South Africa House, in central London.Mr Cameron signed a condolence book for Mr Mandela at South Africa House, in central London.
'Inspirational figure' 'Unity and reconciliation'
He wrote: "The cause of fighting for freedom and against discrimination, your struggle for justice, your triumph against diversity - these things will inspire generations to come.He wrote: "The cause of fighting for freedom and against discrimination, your struggle for justice, your triumph against diversity - these things will inspire generations to come.
"And through all of this your generosity, compassion and profound sense of forgiveness have given us all lessons to learn and live by. Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God.""And through all of this your generosity, compassion and profound sense of forgiveness have given us all lessons to learn and live by. Blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Children of God."
The flag at No 10 is being flown at half-mast in honour of the former leader, who Mr Cameron described as a "hero of our time".The flag at No 10 is being flown at half-mast in honour of the former leader, who Mr Cameron described as a "hero of our time".
Labour leader Ed Miliband will later add his tribute to the book of condolences at the South African High Commission in Trafalgar Square. Labour Leader Ed Miliband has added his tribute to the book of condolences at the South African High Commission in Trafalgar Square.
In a statement, he said: "The world has lost the inspirational figure of our age. He wrote: "We remember your determination, your courage, and your spirit of reconciliation.
"Nelson Mandela taught people across the globe the true meaning of courage, strength, hope and reconciliation." "You inspire us to higher ideals, noble purposes and to fight injustice wherever we find it.
"You teach us to seek unity and reconciliation, not division and bitterness. Your inspiration lives on and convinces us that people as part of a movement can overcome the largest obstacles.
"We mourn your loss. We give thanks for your life."
Lib Dem leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: "Every so often history produces an individual whose message is universal, and Nelson Mandela will be mourned and missed on every continent around the globe.Lib Dem leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: "Every so often history produces an individual whose message is universal, and Nelson Mandela will be mourned and missed on every continent around the globe.
"The hope he offered was enough to unite races.""The hope he offered was enough to unite races."
'Unprecedented occasion''Unprecedented occasion'
Former prime minister Tony Blair said Mr Mandela was a "great man" who had made racism "not just immoral but stupid: something not only to be disagreed with, but to be despised".Former prime minister Tony Blair said Mr Mandela was a "great man" who had made racism "not just immoral but stupid: something not only to be disagreed with, but to be despised".
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who said the name Mandela will "stand taller than most - perhaps tallest of them all" in the history of our times, encouraged well-wishers to lay flowers at the base of Mr Mandela's statue opposite the Houses of Parliament. London Mayor Boris Johnson visited the shrine at South Africa House to pay his respects "on behalf of Londoners".
He said the "idea of a latter-day saint is much abused" but added that there was no doubt in his mind that the outpouring of admiration and praise for Mr Mandela is wholly appropriate.
When asked about the Conservative Party's attitudes to Mr Mandela and the ANC in the past, he said he disagreed with it but was "not politically operational" then, adding: "I never in my life deviated from the position of fervent, fervent admiration for Nelson Mandela."
He has encouraged well-wishers to lay flowers at the base of Mr Mandela's statue opposite the Houses of Parliament.
MPs and peers will be given the opportunity to pay tributes to Mr Mandela in the House of Commons and the Lords on Monday.MPs and peers will be given the opportunity to pay tributes to Mr Mandela in the House of Commons and the Lords on Monday.
But Parliamentary sources say they are examining holding a special event at which "remembrances, testimonials and dedications" could be paid.But Parliamentary sources say they are examining holding a special event at which "remembrances, testimonials and dedications" could be paid.
Final details are still being worked out, but the event would be for "people from across civic society with a very wide attendance".Final details are still being worked out, but the event would be for "people from across civic society with a very wide attendance".
Labour MP Peter Hain, whose family fled South Africa because of their support for Nelson Mandela's cause, backed the plans, which are being drawn up by Commons speaker John Bercow and Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza.Labour MP Peter Hain, whose family fled South Africa because of their support for Nelson Mandela's cause, backed the plans, which are being drawn up by Commons speaker John Bercow and Lord Speaker Baroness D'Souza.
He said it would be a "major event" for "civil society, for the anti-apartheid diaspora still in London, for everybody who wants to commemorate Nelson Mandela's life".He said it would be a "major event" for "civil society, for the anti-apartheid diaspora still in London, for everybody who wants to commemorate Nelson Mandela's life".
Mr Hain, who was a leading figure in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1970s, described Mr Mandela as the "icon of all icons".Mr Hain, who was a leading figure in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1970s, described Mr Mandela as the "icon of all icons".
The BBC's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the planned event in Westminster Hall, the oldest building in Parliament, would be an "unprecedented occasion".The BBC's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the planned event in Westminster Hall, the oldest building in Parliament, would be an "unprecedented occasion".
It has previously played host to US President Barack Obama, who addressed both Houses of Parliament there in 2011, and Pope Benedict XVI.It has previously played host to US President Barack Obama, who addressed both Houses of Parliament there in 2011, and Pope Benedict XVI.