Rhodri Morgan's funeral to be held at the Senedd

  • Wales

The funeral of former first minister Rhodri Morgan will be held on Wednesday at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

The ceremony, which is open to the public, will be conducted by humanist celebrant and former AM Lorraine Barrett.

It will be relayed through speakers on the steps of the Senedd and streamed live on www.senedd.tv.

Mr Morgan died suddenly on Wednesday May 17th whilst cycling near his home in Cardiff.

Election campaigning was suspended by all parties in Wales following his death, and tributes poured in from across the political spectrum.

Jeremy Corbyn described him as a giant of the Labour movement, while Welsh Secretary, Conservative Alun Cairns said Mr Morgan was a "great servant to Wales".

Rhodri Morgan relinquished his post as first minister in 2009 and was succeeded by current first minister Carwyn Jones Credit: PA

Mr Morgan was elected as MP for Cardiff West in 1987, working as shadow environment spokesman and chairing the House of Commons public administration select committee before assuming office in the Assembly in 1999.

He did not see eye-to-eye with former prime minister Tony Blair, who overlooked him to lead the Welsh Assembly in 1999, and moved to distance himself from New Labour.

But he took on the role in 2000 following the resignation of Alun Michael, now police and crime commissioner for South Wales.

In September 2009, on his 70th birthday, Mr Morgan announced he would be relinquishing his post as first minister, with Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones succeeding him.

Around 12 months later, Mr Morgan announced he would be retiring from politics altogether.

Mr Morgan's wife Julie is assembly member for Cardiff North.

Paying tribute, Mr Jones said he was "very shocked, desperately sad", adding that his thoughts were with Mrs Morgan and the family.

Cardiff North AM Julie Morgan has paid tribute to her late husband

Following the funeral ceremony at the Senedd there will be a service of committal at the Wenallt chapel, Thornhill Crematorium the following day on Thursday at 2pm, which will also be open to the public.

People wishing to attend the funeral ceremony at the Senedd, which will open at 9.30am, are advised to arrive early to allow for security checks to be carried out.