‘I see him in the tradition of Nye Bevan’ – Corbyn’s funeral tribute to Flynn
HUNDREDS gathered in Newport yesterday to pay their final respects to veteran MP Paul Flynn.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, First Minister Mark Drakeford and Newport City Council leader Debbie Wilcox were among those who joined family, friends, and constituency members for the funeral service at St Woolos Cathedral yesterday morning.
A wicker coffin, draped with a Welsh flag and a small arrangement of white roses, was carried into the packed cathedral just after 11am.
Many mourners listened from a vestibule at the back of the cathedral as warm tributes were paid to Mr Flynn as a friend, colleague and family member.
Taking time out from a chaotic week in Parliament, Mr Corbyn addressed the congregation.
Paying tribute to his friend, Mr Corbyn said: “Paul was somebody who was very special in every conceivable way in his life, in his work as a Member of Parliament, and in his humour and in his warmth.
“I loved the character of him and the way in which he spoke up for Newport, spoke up for causes that weren’t necessarily terribly popular, and the zany sense of interest that he had.
“He was a wonderful guy in so many ways. He was also very proud of coming from Newport, coming from Wales, and I see him in the tradition of Aneurin Bevan.”
He added: “Paul was never besotted by power. He was only there to