House of Commons a Poorer Place without Gwyneth Dunwoody - Clegg

11.51.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th Apr 2008

Crewe and Nantwich's Labour MP, Gwyneth Dunwoody, has died following a major heart operation. Ms Dunwoody was 77, the longest-serving female MP in Parliament. Her son David said that she died "in a gentle and calm way" on Thursday evening after being ill for about a week.

Tributes to the Crewe and Nantwich MP are being paid from constituents and MPs of all Parties. Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:

"Gwyneth Dunwoody was a fiercely principled and incredibly effective Parliamentarian. Her recent contributions in the area of transport were outstanding and her knowledge unquestioned.

"She was a great speaker and debater and the House of Commons will be a poorer place without her. She will be missed on all sides of the House."