TRIBUTES were paid to former Labour minister and European Parliament member Baroness Glenys Kinnock after she died aged 79 today.

Baroness Kinnock served in former Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government as minister for Europe after she was given a life peerage.

She was an MEP for 15 years before leaving Brussels in 2009 to take her seat in the unelected second chamber, alongside her partner Neil Kinnock.

Her family includes son Labour MP Stephen Kinnock and daughter Rachel who said they were devastated by her death.

A family statement said: “It is with the deepest sorrow that we announce the death of Glenys Kinnock.

“Glenys died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Sunday morning, at home in London.

“She was the beloved wife and life partner of Neil, the cherished mother of Steve and Rachel and an adored grandmother.

“Neil was with her in her final moments. They had been married for 56 years.

“A proud democratic socialist, she campaigned, in Britain and internationally, for justice and against poverty all her life.”

Ms Kinnock had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago.