This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25378694
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83 | Lord Roberts of Conwy dies, aged 83 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Lord Roberts of Conwy has died at the age of 83. | Lord Roberts of Conwy has died at the age of 83. |
| He piloted the Welsh Language Act in 1983 and as Wyn Roberts served as Conservative MP for Conwy from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997. | He piloted the Welsh Language Act in 1983 and as Wyn Roberts served as Conservative MP for Conwy from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 1997. |
| During 18 years of government, he was the longest-serving minister in the same department. | During 18 years of government, he was the longest-serving minister in the same department. |
| Welsh Secretary David Jones called him "an extraordinary man" and a "powerful exponent" of the Welsh language. | Welsh Secretary David Jones called him "an extraordinary man" and a "powerful exponent" of the Welsh language. |
| The non conformist minister's son from Anglesey turned to politics after starting his career in journalism. | The non conformist minister's son from Anglesey turned to politics after starting his career in journalism. |
| After Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 election, Wyn Roberts was made Welsh Office minister and his responsibilities included the Welsh language. | After Margaret Thatcher won the 1979 election, Wyn Roberts was made Welsh Office minister and his responsibilities included the Welsh language. |
| He never made it into the cabinet but served under four Secretaries of State and two prime ministers. | He never made it into the cabinet but served under four Secretaries of State and two prime ministers. |
| He became Baron Roberts of Conwy when he retired as an MP in 1997 and was as an opposition spokesman on Welsh affairs in the Lords until 2007. | He became Baron Roberts of Conwy when he retired as an MP in 1997 and was as an opposition spokesman on Welsh affairs in the Lords until 2007. |
| Lord Roberts leaves a wife, Enid - who he married in 1956 - and sons Huw and Geraint. His son Rhys died in 2004. | Lord Roberts leaves a wife, Enid - who he married in 1956 - and sons Huw and Geraint. His son Rhys died in 2004. |
| Welsh Secretary David Jones said Lord Roberts had been "a very active man" in the House of Lords until becoming ill a few months ago. | |
| He called him "the greatest Welshman of his generation." | |
| "The greatest of his many political achievements was the Welsh Language Act, which gave full and proper recognition in public life to the language of which he was such a masterful and powerful exponent, and which he loved so much," said Mr Jones. | "The greatest of his many political achievements was the Welsh Language Act, which gave full and proper recognition in public life to the language of which he was such a masterful and powerful exponent, and which he loved so much," said Mr Jones. |
| He said this was his "personal achievement" and marked him as "doing more for Welsh cultural life than any man of his generation." | He said this was his "personal achievement" and marked him as "doing more for Welsh cultural life than any man of his generation." |
| Mr Jones added that Lord Roberts was "an extraordinary man, very kind, extremely wise with a tremendous sense humour." | Mr Jones added that Lord Roberts was "an extraordinary man, very kind, extremely wise with a tremendous sense humour." |
| "To me, he was a kind friend and wise counsellor. He will be greatly missed, both in Wales and in Westminster." | "To me, he was a kind friend and wise counsellor. He will be greatly missed, both in Wales and in Westminster." |
| Veteran journalist and friend Derek Bellis told BBC Radio Wales: "He was a very kind, gentle and humorous man with a giant intellect but no ego at all. | |
| "I never saw him have a single cross word. He often had to run the brunt of demonstrations but took it all in good heart." | |
| Mr Bellis added: "I visited him over the last few months when he was ill but his brain was as sharp as a tack. | |
| "He was no toff was Wyn - he was a man of the people." |