Former Tory agent dies

Elwyn Jones said the assembly had become more irrelevant

A former Conservative Party official who left the Tories to join the UK Independence Party has died.

Elwyn Jones was one of the best known political personalities in north Wales who had represented many Tory MPs and candidates.

He died suddenly at the age of 57 at his home in Deganwy, Conwy, on Wednesday.

Mr Jones joined the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in February, becoming its north Wales vice-chairman. He had been a Conservative agent in the area for 26 years.

He had said he believed in pulling out of Europe and abolishing the Welsh Assembly.

He always had interesting views and always said things that got people thinking and ignited debates

Lord Roberts of Conwy

"I have given it a chance, but it is becoming more of an irrelevance - particularly in north Wales," Mr Jones said at the time he joined UKIP.

David Rowlands, Welsh chairman of UKIP, said the party deeply regretted his death.

He described him as a strong patriot, with great political experience, and a real gentleman, as well as a loyal representative of the party.

Mr Jones had a high profile and had frequent clashes with Welsh language activists, once being targeted in a letter bomb campaign.

His good friend, Lord Roberts of Conwy, paid tribute to his former agent who still lived 15 minutes away from him.

He said: "He always had interesting views and always said things that got people thinking and ignited debates.

"He was a lively TV and radio performer in Welsh and did a lot of work for charities like the Hospice Movement.

"He was a Welshman through and through, and one to be proud of," he said.

Brought up in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Mr Jones was a colourful and controversial character who published his autobiography in 1991, entitled Y Rebel Mwyaf? (The Biggest Rebel?)