'Our valley will mourn Leo Abse' 'Arguably greatest Parliamentarian of his time' says MP as leading figures pay tribute.

Byline: Echo Reporter

TRIBUTES were paid to a politician described as "arguably the greatest Parliamentarian of his time" at his funeral yesterday.

Friends and family flocked to say their goodbyes to former MP Leo Abse.

The 91-year-old father of two died peacefully at Charing Cross Hospital in London last week.

A solicitor by profession, Mr Abse became a flamboyant figure in Westminster, renowned for his dandyish attire.

He was born in Cardiff, the grandson of Jewish immigrants, and from an early age cultivated a reputation as a troublemaker.

Mr Abseguided a Private Member's Bill through Parliament in 1967 that legalised sex between men and was also credited with helping to liberalise divorce laws.

Mr Abse's efforts led Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan to tell him: "You do muchmore good in terms of human happiness than 90% of the work done in Parliament on political issues..."

Mr Abse, who was in the Commons for nearly 30 years as MP for Pontypool and then Torfaen, is survived by his second wife Ania.

The service at St Gabriel's Church, in Cwmbran, embraced both the Anglican and Jewish faith and reflected his time serving the constituents in the eastern valley with performances by the Blaenavon and Pontnewydd Male Choirs.

Father Michael J Phillips told mourners: "We are sad at losing a loved one yet happy as we remember Leo's life and immense achievements for he undoubtedly enriched the lives of so many."

Wales Secretary Paul Murphy, a personal friend of Mr Abse for more than 40 years, also spoke warmly of him during the service.

He said: "I was his constituency party secretary for about 15 years and in 1987when he decided toretire I became his successor as MP for this constituency.

"He became a very close friend as well as a political colleague and I will miss him very much.

"I will miss his wit and stories, his advice and his wisdom and the whole of the constituency will feel his loss and our valley will mourn a faithful and dedicated representative in the House of Commons."

After highlighting Mr Abse's success in introducing more Private Member bills than any politician over the last 100 years, Mr Murphy said: "We say goodbye to arguably the greatest Parliamentarian of his time."

Mr Abse's younger brother, poet Dannie Abse, was unable to attend the funeral but his daughter Keren read one of his poems during the service.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan and veteran journalist Anthony Howard were also among those who paid their respects.

After the church service, mourners made their way to the Gwent Crematoriumin Croesyceiliog for a service of committal conducted by Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto.

CAPTION(S):

TRIBUTE: Paul Murphy, Welsh Secretary and Torfaen MP, at the funeral; GOODBYE: A portrait photograph of the late Leo Abse taken by his wife Ania illuminated the altar at his funeral, below PICTURES: Richard Swingler