Gwyneth Dunwoody, the Labour Party's longest serving woman MP, has died, her son said on Friday.
David Dunwoody said his mother died on Thursday evening after being admitted to hospital last week with an undisclosed illness. She was 77.
"She was a woman who stood up and said what she believed was true and defended those who don't have many people to defend them," Dunwoody told the BBC.
Dunwoody, known for her fierce independence, was first elected MP for Exeter in 1966 and had been member for Crewe and Nantwich since 1983. Her death will trigger a by-election in the safe Labour seat.
Veteran left-wing politician Tony Benn said Dunwoody was a very distinguished MP who was always listened to with great respect.
During her long parliamentary career, Dunwoody served as chairman of several committees and took special interest in transport, the National Health Service and the arts. She was life president of the Labour Friends of Israel group.
She leaves a daughter and two sons, and 10 grandchildren.
-
Christian Artemis II pilot Victor Glover reflects on God's creation from space
-
Quoting the Bible from space
-
Bishop urges people of Britain to stand up for Christian truth
-
The rise of 'full-fat' Christianity?
-
New study explores why young men are embracing Christianity in Finland
-
Trying to increase attendance is biggest challenge for church leaders
Most Popular
News
Trump's AI 'Jesus' blunder
Has the row over Donald Trump’s ‘Christ-like’ image been fuelled by misunderstanding and unrealistic expectations about his alleged Christian faith?
Bethel Church announces governance review after sexual abuse allegations
Months after Bethel Church announced Pastor Ben Armstrong had been placed on administrative leave, the church says it is bringing in additional third-party oversight and has confirmed the firm leading an independent investigation into sexual abuse allegations against the longtime ministry leader.
Faith communities have always served the whole person - it is time funders did the same
Ethnic minority communities struggle to access funding but a church-backed initiative is seeking to change that.
Indian law could block foreign aid to missionaries, seize church properties
Christianity faces an increasingly hostile environment in India.