Tributes pour in for former Welsh Secretary after death, aged 68

FORMER Welsh Secretary Dame Cheryl Gillan has passed away at the age of 68 after a lengthy illness, the Conservative Party has confirmed.

The Prime Minister said the former cabinet minister would be “sorely missed” and described her as a “great servant”.

“I’m very sad to hear the news of the death of Dame Cheryl Gillan,” said Boris Johnson.

“She was a great servant to the people of Chesham and Amersham, to the Conservative Party and to the country as Secretary of State for Wales.

“Always full of wise advice and good humour, she was much loved on all sides of the House of Commons and will be sorely missed. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.”

Cardiff-born, she was the Secretary of State for Wales from 2010 to 2012.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Dame Cheryl Gillan was a hugely respected figure who contributed a great deal to Welsh and UK politics over many years, including as Welsh Secretary.

“She will be fondly remembered and I send my condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.”

The Welsh Conservatives’ Leader in The Senedd, Andrew RT Davies MS, tweeted: “Desperately sad to hear Cheryl Gillan has passed away. Cheryl was a model of public service and was respected across the political spectrum. She was incredibly proud of her Welsh roots and served with distinction as Secretary of State. My thoughts are with her family and friends.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “Very sad to hear that Dame Cheryl Gillan has passed away.

“I worked with Cheryl on a number of issues. She was respected across the House and a great champion for her constituents.

“My thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.”

Ms Gillan was Welsh Secretary under David Cameron’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government. Born in Llandaff, she left Wales when she was 11 years old and attended the independent Cheltenham Ladies College.