"Politics will be the poorer for Mo's departure. We may have disagreed in many things, but I have never doubted her honesty, candour and ability to respond to people."
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Andrew Lansley
"I hope that the crucial initiatives and events she helped to put in motion in Northern Ireland continue towards their objectives of peace and resolution."
Lib Dem Northern Ireland spokesman Lembit Opik
"Normally popularity isn't always the most popular thing
amongst colleagues."
Mo Mowlam's husband, Jon Norton
"She has made an enormous contribution towards bringing about peace on our streets."
SDLP leader John Hume
"I suspect the response in Northern Ireland will be a bit of curate's egg. There will be some who will miss her but there will also be those who detested her because she was a capable and clever woman who was a breath of
fresh air for this society."
PUP leader David Ervine
"I think it's an excellent decision. It could not have happened sooner. It's just a pity it didn't happen when she was Secretary of State. Though it's a case of goodbye and good riddance."
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jr
"She will be remembered in Northern Ireland as the person who played a key role in resolving the conflict here - not just in achieving the Good Friday Agreement, but also working hard to see it implemented properly."
Northern Ireland Women's Coalition member Monica McWilliams
"She has been an outstanding minister and a good friend to the TUC and to me."
TUC general secretary John Monks
""She was being wasted {in the Cabinet Office]. There's a lot for her to do. I think she is quite right to want to do it elsewhere."
Gwyneth Dunwoody, Labour MP
"She is very easy going, but she could make a caress sound like a curse and a curse sound like a caress."
Labour MP Ashok Kumar