Tributes paid to former Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan

Montgomeryshire's Conservative candidate Glyn Davies said Rhodri Morgan was a "star performer who brought leadership, stability and colour to the National Assembly".

Paying tribute to Mr Morgan, Mr Davies said: "Rhodri - because that's how he was universally known - was an unusual leader, hugely knowledgeable, cunning as a fox and universally liked, with a truly astonishing memory.

"He was a proper grown up politician who helped the National Assembly grow up.

"At times Rhodri looked uncomfortable with the trappings of leadership.

"He was a man who preferred to be on the terraces than in the royal box. He liked debate and liked to mix it with those of us who opposed him.

"I was quite proud to have wound him up a few times, which he always took in good heart."

He added: "He was a top man, who did Wales proud, and deserves to be honoured and remembered as one of our great leaders."

The Labour politician was a “towering figure”, former Welsh secretary Lord Hain said.

The current Welsh Secretary, Tory Alun Cairns, said Mr Morgan was a “significant politician” and a “great servant to Wales”.

Current First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Wales has lost a father figure and a great politician tonight.”

He said his thoughts were with Mr Morgan’s widow Julie.

Lord Hain said: “My deep condolences to Julie and the family on the shock news.

“As first minister Rhodri was both the father of devolution and the father of the nation. He did more than anyone to bed down and ensure the new Welsh Assembly gained widespread legitimacy.

“Equally at home both bantering on rugby in a pub or talking economic theory, he was a unique populist intellectual.

“I worked closely with him as secretary of state for Wales to agree the basis for the full law-making powers the Assembly now has.

“He was Welsh through and through and a repository of fascinating facts on everything under the sun. A towering figure in every sense whom we will all miss.”

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood added her condolences, tweeting: “We have just heard the news that former First Minister of Wales Rhodri Morgan has passed away. Sincere condolences to Julie and the family.”

Mr Morgan was first minister for almost 10 years from 1999, before taking up a role as chancellor of Swansea University in October 2011 after retiring from politics.

The university said in a statement: “We are very saddened to hear of his death. Rhodri was a wonderful servant to the university as chancellor, as he was a wonderful servant to the whole of Wales. Our thoughts are with his family and his close friends.”