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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 1993 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 1993 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. |
Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm sad to hear a great Conservative, Lord Roberts of Conwy, has died. He did so much for Wales, including piloting the Welsh Language Act." | Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I'm sad to hear a great Conservative, Lord Roberts of Conwy, has died. He did so much for Wales, including piloting the Welsh Language Act." |
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. | 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." | 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. |
'Guardian angel' | 'Guardian angel' |
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." |
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies AM called Lord Roberts "a great politician and a great man". | Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies AM called Lord Roberts "a great politician and a great man". |
He added: "His hard work and commitment to public service had a hugely positive impact upon the future of the Welsh language and Wales as a whole. | He added: "His hard work and commitment to public service had a hugely positive impact upon the future of the Welsh language and Wales as a whole. |
"I know he will be greatly missed and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family on this very sad day." | "I know he will be greatly missed and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family on this very sad day." |
Huw Jones, chairman of the S4C Authority, called Lord Roberts "a guardian angel for the Welsh language and for S4C within the Conservative government of the 80s and 90s". | Huw Jones, chairman of the S4C Authority, called Lord Roberts "a guardian angel for the Welsh language and for S4C within the Conservative government of the 80s and 90s". |
"Both were close to his heart and he did everything he could to promote and support them." | "Both were close to his heart and he did everything he could to promote and support them." |
Mr Jones added: "Alongside his measured and careful style, he had humour and mischief in his eye and great personal warmth. | Mr Jones added: "Alongside his measured and careful style, he had humour and mischief in his eye and great personal warmth. |
"He made a huge contribution at a critical time for the Welsh language and he will be greatly missed." | "He made a huge contribution at a critical time for the Welsh language and he will be greatly missed." |
There were also tributes from political opponents. | There were also tributes from political opponents. |
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I am saddened to hear of the death of Lord Roberts of Conwy and my thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time. | |
"Lord Roberts was a leading figure in Welsh politics for more than 30 years. As well as a long career in the Welsh Office he will be particularly remembered for his work on the Welsh language and for piloting the Welsh Language Act. | |
"He will be greatly missed by Welsh politics as a whole." | |
Lord Barry Jones - the former Shadow Welsh Secretary and Alyn and Deeside MP - said: "Had there been any justice in politics he would have been Secretary of State for Wales. His memoirs were superb. | Lord Barry Jones - the former Shadow Welsh Secretary and Alyn and Deeside MP - said: "Had there been any justice in politics he would have been Secretary of State for Wales. His memoirs were superb. |
"Wyn built more roads than the Romans. He was the quintessential Welsh Conservative with an outstanding track record of service." | "Wyn built more roads than the Romans. He was the quintessential Welsh Conservative with an outstanding track record of service." |
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. | 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." | "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. | 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." | "He was no toff was Wyn - he was a man of the people." |