Former cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell dies aged 70
Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen
Tony Blair has led tributes to former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell following her death aged 70, describing her as "one of my closest and dearest friends".
Dame Tessa, who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour in May last year, suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma until her death on Saturday. She died peacefully at her home in Warwickshire surrounded by her family.
Former prime minister Mr Blair said: "Her impact on politics was enormous, everything she touched she turned to gold in some way.
"She was a unique politician, but she was a really dear friend and everybody who was a friend of hers knew they could rely on her whatever their circumstances, whatever happened she was always going to be there and be there for them."
Dame Tessa became a tireless campaigner to help people with brain tumours "live better lives for longer" after her diagnosis last May.
She moved fellow peers to tears in recent months as she used the House of Lords as a platform to discuss her condition and call for patients to have better access to experimental treatment.
The family spokesman said: "It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of loss, that we announce the death of Tessa Jowell.
"She died peacefully at the family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire last night, shortly after 10pm. Her husband David and their children Jessie and Matthew were by her side, with Jessie's husband Finn, Matthew's wife Ella, and David's children from his first marriage."
The spokesman added: "In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly.
"The family would like to thank people for the overwhelming support Tessa and they have received since she became ill. They have been touched and moved by the response, in both Houses of Parliament; from members of the public; and other cancer patients and their families around the world."
There will be a small private funeral in the coming days, and a memorial service open to all at a later date, the spokesman said.
Olympic legacy
Dame Tessa will be remembered as one of the main political architects of the 2012 London Olympics.
It was as Tony Blair's Labour culture secretary in the early noughties that she championed the capital's eventually successful bid to host the games, in the face of Civil Service and Cabinet scepticism.
Though losing her Cabinet post in Gordon Brown's 2007 reshuffle she remained Olympic minister and oversaw every stage of the games from initial bid to competition.
Lord Sebastian Coe, president of the IAAF and chairman of the London organising committee of the Olympic Games, said: "Without Tessa there would have been no London 2012, and without Tessa they would not have been the success they were."
She stepped down from the Commons in 2015.
May and Blair lead tributes
Dame Tessa was a popular figure in Parliament, and politicians from all parties were quick to pay glowing tributes to her.
The prime minister tweeted: "The dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was inspirational.
"My sympathies to her loving family - Dame Tessa's campaigning on brain cancer research is a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service."
Mr Blair said: "She was one of my closest and dearest friends. Politics is not a very easy environment in which friendships can thrive and survive but she was my friend throughout my time in politics in opposition, in government, after I left office and she was always the same. She was always true and loyal and decent and wise."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was devastated at the news of Dame Tessa's death, adding: "Her strength in raising awareness of her illness and fighting for better treatment for others inspired us all."
Sir Menzies Campbell, former Liberal Democrat leader and member of the Olympic Board which had oversight of London 2012, said Dame Tessa was "regarded with both admiration and affection".
Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah said Dama Tessa would "always be defined by the sheer courage and compassion for others she showed while facing cancer".