I am devastated at the passing of Hywel Francis.

Hywel was a true friend and comrade, who personified the values of our community, and of our Labour movement.

As the MP for Aberavon from 2001 until 2015 Hywel was a tireless campaigner for the causes and issues that really mattered to the people of Aberavon.

He championed the cause of disabled people, and was a strong and vocal supporter of devolution. Hywel was also a renowned historian of the South Wales coal mining industry, and of the Spanish Civil War.

As his successor as the MP for Aberavon I greatly valued Hywel’s wise counsel, and I shall certainly miss his wry sense of humour.

My thoughts are with Mair and all his family at this sad time.