Further tributes to 'huge servant of Newport' Paul Flynn paid in Senedd and Parliament

Speaking in the Assembly earlier today, presiding officer Elin Jones remembered Mr Flynn as "a likeable and kind man, who was faithful to his country and to this Senedd, with independence and strength of feeling marking his political life."

First minister Mark Drakeford added his own tribute, calling Mr Flynn "a huge servant of the city of Newport, a remarkable speaker in the House of Commons and on stages elsewhere in Wales, but someone who I think will be remembered most for speaking up on behalf of people and causes, where little popular support existed at the time, and that included devolution at the start of his own career".

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"Some in our trade are skilled at spotting a tide that is already on its way in, and are able to ride it to the shore," he said.

"I think Paul Flynn's integrity and courage was to be willing to speak for those things where that tide had yet begun to run, and then to make others more willing to follow in its wake."

Mr Flynn's Assembly counterpart Jayne Bryant also spoke, calling him "a wonderful friend and mentor to me personally."

"Paul was a passionate devolutionist, a champion for the Welsh language, and he was incredibly proud to see the establishment of this Senedd," she said.

Paul Flynn at the Red Army Go Home barricade in Lithuania, March 1991

She added: "He loved Newport and I know he was humbled that the people of Newport West kept faith with him and put their trust in him for over 30 years."

Meanwhile, leader of the Assembly's Conservative group Paul Davies hailed Mr Flynn as "a first-class Parliamentarian", and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: "He was one of those rare animals who could move from grave to humorous, and back and forth. And despite being the incarnation of passion, that never hardened into bitterness or hatred at any point, and he is an example to us all in that regard."

Tributes were also paid in Parliament on Monday, with Mr Flynn's constituency neighbour Jessica Morden saying: "Paul was certainly one of a kind, and it is hard to know how to even begin to describe his contribution in this place and in his beloved city of Newport."

She added: "He was a ferocious campaigner for many causes, in many of which he was far ahead of his time, and he was a tireless advocate for his constituents.

Paul Flynn, pictured in 2013

"He did so with a wit and a humour that cut through any tendency to pomposity in this place."

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith described Mr Flynn as "a funny, generous man", and Torfaen's Nick Thomas-Symonds said he was "an inspiration".

Conservative MP Sir Oliver Heald remembered him as “a very nice man and a very effective Parliamentarian,” while Gavin Newlands of the SNP said: "He was a one-off", and the DUP’s Jim Shannon described him as “interesting and funny and a joy to be beside.”

Meanwhile, Newport rap group Goldie Lookin Chain also paid their own unique tribute to the former MP.

Paul Flynn with Goldie Lookin Chain in 2004

A song posted on the group's Facebook page - simply called Paul - hails the Labour stalwart as being "more westside than Tupac" and ends with the chorus "Paul, you were the best, forever representing Newport West."

Other lyrics include: "Across the parties Paul was revered. And it’s just possible he was born with that beard.

"Never afraid to say what was in his head. And he wrote six more books than I've ever read."

Watch the video here.