US mourns death of Mo Mowlam

Victoria Ward, New York

Mitchell, who chaired the talks which led to the Good Friday Agreement, paid tribute to a close personal friend and said he was deeply saddened by her death.

“Mo Mowlam made a major contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland at a crucial time when little progress was being made,” he said.

“She contributed energy, enthusiasm and optimism. She helped reinvigorate the process and bring it to a successful conclusion.

“She was an outstanding public official, a warm human being, very colourful. Not in the mould one would think of a public official, but extremely effective.

“She was a good personal friend to me. I came to know and admire her personally. I am very sad indeed at her passing.”

Former US president Bill Clinton said Ms Mowlam’s plain-speaking ways and good humour were “legendary”

“Hillary and I are saddened by the death of Marjorie Mowlam,” he said.

“Mo was an integral part of building a peace process in Northern Ireland that has endured for over a decade.

All of us who worked to support peace in Northern Ireland owe her our gratitude.

“Hillary and I cherished the times we spent together and will carry the warmth of her friendship always.”