THERESA May, Jeremy Corbyn and others paid tribute to Newport MP Paul Flynn, who died on Sunday, in Parliament today.

The veteran Labour MP, who was 84, was first elected to represent Newport West in 1987, but had recently suffered with poor health, and announced last year he would not run again in a future General Election.

And, speaking at the start of Prime Minister's Questions earlier today, Mrs May paid tribute to the Labour stalwart.

She said: "I am sure the whole house will want to join me in paying tribute to our former colleague Paul Flynn.

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"He was an outstanding Parliamentarian, a tireless campaigner and championed his constituency of Newport West and Wales with energy and enthusiasm for over 30 years."

Theresa May on Paul Flynn in Parliament today

The prime minister also recalled Mr Flynn's own words when he stepped down from Labour's front bench in 2016 following a brief spell as shadow leader of the house and shadow Welsh secretary.

"He will be remembered for one the greatest Parliamentary quotes when he left Labour's front bench in 2016," she said. "He said: 'Our glorious leader, in an act of pioneering diversity, courageously decided to give opportunities to geriatrics on the front bench, and this was so successful he decided to create opportunities for geriatrics on the back bench. I'm double blessed'."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also added his tribute, remembering Mr Flynn as "courageous, warm and witty."

"I think we are all going to miss his contributions, his wit and his wisdom," he said.

"Our deepest condolences to his wife Sam, and all of his family, and all of much wider family all across Newport and across Wales.

Jeremy Corbyn on Paul Flynn in Parliament today

"He was truly wonderful man and a great and dear friend."

Meanwhile, Mr Flynn's Assembly counterpart Jayne Bryant also paid tribute to him in the Assembly on Wednesday afternoon, calling him "a giant of the Labour movement, a passionate devolutionist, and an exceptional Parliamentarian."

"Respected across the political divide, with his wonderful turns of phrase, witty comments and incisive mind, Paul undoubtedly spoke truth to power," she said.

"He was far ahead of his time on issues that others found too controversial.

"He was proved right on so many of them. As he said, everyone agreed with him 20 years after he said it."

Jayne Bryant on Paul Flynn in the Assembly today

She added: "I first met Paul when I was nine years old, when he visited my school after he was first elected to represent Newport West in 1987. He brought politics alive to me then, and has done so ever since.

"Never bland nor boring, Paul proved that politics was about people, and wanted young people to be as passionate about it as he was all his life."

Concluding, she said: "He has done Newport, Wales and the Labour movement proud."

A book of condolence to Mr Flynn has been opened at Newport Civic Centre. It can be access from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday and will be open until his funeral - the date of which is yet to be confirmed.