Tributes to a political crusader

The Pontypool MP was a flamboyant personality

Leo Abse was "a courageous campaigner" and a "passionate Welshman" who "improved the lives of millions", according to those who knew him well.

Tributes to the late Labour MP show just how much the social reformer touched the lives of both politicians and the people he served.

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy, who was his successor as MP for Torfaen, said Mr Abse had "left an indelible mark on his country".

"I am deeply sad that Leo has passed away. He was a personal friend for well over 40 years," he said.

"I worked with him first as his constituency party secretary and later, of course, as his successor as MP for Torfaen.

"He was a very distinguished parliamentarian and social reformer who has left an indelible mark on his country. The lives of millions of people over the years have been improved because of his social reforms.

"Leo was a passionate Welshman and a fine constituency MP for the eastern valley, which he represented in parliament for nearly 30 years.

His passing is a huge loss to politics and public life in Wales and he will be fondly remembered in Torfaen, in Cardiff and throughout Britain First Minister Rhodri Morgan

"I personally owe him a great debt, and I know that MPs from all sides of the House will mourn his passing."

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, with whom Mr Abse had led the anti-devolution campaign in the 1979 constitutional referendum, paid tribute, together with his wife Glenys, the MEP representing Wales.

"Leo was courageous, highly principled, very funny and totally unique," the couple said.

"We are glad that he had such a long and fulfilling life in which he gained so much social progress by being an outstanding free-thinking socialist."

Leo Abse was a great social reforming backbencher in the finest traditions of the House of Commons," said the First Minister.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Mr Abse's death was a "huge loss" to Welsh public life and the Welsh Labour movement.

"It is very rare for one MP to have been involved in so many major pieces of social legislation in relation to homosexuality, divorce and abortion, which have had a huge impact on the whole of British society.

Leo Abse had written a critical book about Tony Blair before New Labour won power

"That is perhaps a tribute to how Leo used his legal knowledge, built up in his law practice, Leo Abse and Cohen, and then applied it to his work in the House of Commons in such a remarkable way.

"When I first joined the Labour Party in 1963 it was as a member of Cardiff South East Labour party whose full time office was in the attic above Leo Abse and Cohen headquarters at 36 Churchill Way, Cardiff. So I feel a particularly strong empathy with how big a loss Welsh public life and the Welsh Labour movement has suffered in the passing of this reforming MP.

"His passing is a huge loss to politics and public life in Wales and he will be fondly remembered in Torfaen, in Cardiff and throughout Britain."

Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle said: "Leo Abse was a courageous campaigner, and a superb representative for the people of Pontypool and Torfaen for more than 30 years. His loss will be felt not only in the Labour movement, but across the political spectrum.

"Our thoughts are with his wife Ania and his family at this very sad time."

Liberal Democrat equalities spokeswoman Lynne Featherstone added: "As a nation we should be grateful for his contribution as a parliamentarian. He spearheaded some of the most momentous changes in legislation, paving the way for greater equality.

"His successes in parliament freed many from the shackles of paternalism and bigotry, allowing us some of the basic liberties we now take for granted."

A spokesperson for Stonewall, the organisation working for equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, said: ''Leo Abse was a parliamentary pioneer, taking up the case for the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality in Britain long before the historic legal changes of 1967.

"His commitment to justice and modernity made him a formidable force in the case for change.

"His strong convictions and courage - in the face of considerable opposition at the time -paved the way for future law reforms, allowing organisations like Stonewall to work towards real equality for countless thousands of British lesbians and gay men.'