Ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock's wife Glenys dies 'peacefully in her sleep'

Glenys was married to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock for 56 years.

In a statement, the Kinnock family said: "It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Glenys Kinnock.

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"Glenys died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning, at home in London.

"She was the beloved wife and life partner of Neil, the cherished mother of Steve and Rachel and an adored grandmother.

"Neil was with her in her final moments. They had been married for 56 years.

"A proud democratic socialist, she campaigned, in Britain and internationally, for justice and against poverty all her life."

Glenys' son Stephen Kinnock, who serves as Shadow Immigration Minister, added: "Heartbroken that my mum passed away peacefully in her sleep last night, after many years of Alzheimer’s.

"She was a beloved Mum & Nain who was adored by her family & friends.

"A truly formidable person in every single way, and with such a cheeky sense of humour! Rest in peace."

Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer called her a "true fighter" for the Labour Party as he paid tribute to her life and career.

Baroness Kinnock, then 18, met Lord Kinnock, then 20, while studying at Cardiff University.

The pair tied the knot a couple of years later in 1967.

Baroness Kinnock subsequently worked as a teacher in secondary, primary, infant and nursery schools.

She had a wide field of interests but she was especially well-known for her work designed to alleviate poverty and starvation in Africa and other parts of the world.