ASSEMBLY Members have paid formal tribute to the Senedd's former presiding officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

Last week, Lord Elis-Thomas stood down after being in the job for 12 years - though he will remain as an AM for Dwyfor Merionydd.

He was suceeded by Labour's Newport West AM Rosemary Butler, with the Conservatives' David Melding taking on the role of deputy presiding officer.

Today, AMs from all sides of the chamber thanked Lord Elis-Thomas for his work over the past decade.

Conservative interim leader Paul Davies said the former presiding officer ensured the Welsh Assembly had a "great reputation in Wales and across the UK’’.

Plaid Cymru leader Ieuan Wyn Jones added that fellow party colleague Lord Elis-Thomas had played a key role during the assembly's third term, which saw Wales gain primary law-making powers.

Labour's Edwina Hart said that Lord Elis-Thomas had been fair to all parties while presiding officer.

And Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams paid tribue to Lord Elis-Thomas's style, which allowed debate in the Siambr to "ebb and flow’’ and not get bogged down in the bureaucracy of "dotting the i's and crossing the t's’’.

She said: "You were once regarded in Westminster as the baby of the house. I think we (in the assembly) can now all agree that you have grown into a father of the house role."