Tributes after death of former Wrexham council leader Aled Roberts

Tributes are being paid to Aled Roberts who has passed away at the age of 59.

Aled was the current Welsh Language Commissioner for Wales, and former Member of the Senedd for North Wales as well as a former Leader of Wrexham Council.

As a councillor, Aled represented the Ponciau Ward from 1991-2012 and served as Mayor of Wrexham in 2003-04.

He was elected Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council in March 2005.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I am shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Aled Roberts today.

“He brought a breadth of experience to the role of Welsh Language Commissioner for Wales and focused on making Welsh a living language that’s part of our everyday experience. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”

In a joint statement, the Mayor of Wrexham Ronnie Prince, current Leader of the Council Mark Pritchard, and Chief Executive Ian Bancroft said:

“On behalf of the whole of Wrexham Council, we would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Aled’s family.

“He was a much-loved father and husband, and a wonderful public servant who did so much for Wrexham and Wales.

“Aled will always be remembered here at the council as a kind and warm person with a lovely sense of humour. He was always professional, thoughtful and intelligent, and was hugely respected by everyone he worked with.

“He was also incredibly passionate about Wrexham and Wales, and was a tremendous ambassador for the Welsh language.

“He was a wonderful person, and his former colleagues here at the council – both councillors and employees – will miss him very much. We will always remember him.”

The local authority have said flags outside the Guildhall will be flown at half-mast.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has described his former colleague in the Senedd as a ‘true champion for the people and places of our region and nation.’

Mr Skates said: ‘Aled was a gentleman, a brilliant and professional public servant, a true champion for the people of this area and Wales.

‘He was always good company to have and was utterly dependable. He believed passionately in his home community of Rhos and the wider area of Wrexham County Borough, serving our communities with understanding and full commitment.

“We’ve lost a rare type of politician in Aled – someone who was always polite, compassionate and empathetic at all times. He will be missed by so many people, across the political divide.’

Former MP for Clwyd South, Susan Elan Jones, also grew up in Rhosllannerchrugog and said the community would be united in sadness. She added: ‘He was an exemplary public servant, who served his home community and the people of Wales with great dedication.

‘He was also a brilliant Welsh Language Commissioner. We will remember in our thoughts Llinos and the rest of Aled’s family, his friends at the Stiwt, and his many friends across a large number of organisations that he was involved in.’

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds said: “I am devastated to hear of the passing of Aled. Aled was a committed liberal and was known for his extraordinary hard work as both an Assembly Member for North Wales and as a senior councillor on Wrexham Borough Council.

“This news is a deep blow to the Welsh Liberal Democrat family and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

“Throughout his time as an Assembly Member Aled continued to put standing up for his communities at the very heart of everything he did. Just one example was his tireless and successful campaign for Llay to have solar panels installed on all homes within the estate.

“In his role as Shadow Minister for Children, Education and the Welsh language, he fought tooth and nail for investment in our young people, not least for the Welsh Government to maintain the Pupil Deprivation Grant. He is also well remembered for only ever making his contributions in the Siambr in Welsh.

“Outside of politics, Aled also had a distinguished career as local solicitor and in 1985 he was part of a campaign to protect a local Miners’ institute from closure. He also was the Chair of Governors for many years at Ysgol Gymraeg I D Hooson and a Governor at Ysgol Maes y Mynydd, Rhosllanerchrugog. He was also a committed Christian.

“Aled will be most remembered for his dedication to the Welsh language. A tireless advocate of the protection and promotion of Welsh, he excelled in his role as the Welsh Language Commissioner and sought to promote the language in all aspects of life, including in his role as an Assembly Member.

“Aled’s passing will leave a deep hole in Welsh political life and in our Party, he was someone who knew everyone and left a positive impression on all those he knew. We will miss him greatly.”

Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, Gwenith Price, said: “Aled was a warm character with an extraordinary talent to bring people together.

“His love for his community, and his passion for the growth of the Welsh language in north-east Wales, drove him to want to see change which would benefit the whole nation.

“People were at the centre of everything he did. He had a firm vision for increasing rights for Welsh speakers, and for ensuring justice where he saw unfairness. He wished to see a Wales where every citizen had the opportunity to speak and use the language. His enthusiasm was unmatched, and he continued to work throughout his illness. It was a privilege to work with him.

“We are deeply saddened by the news of his death, and we know that everyone who has worked with him will feel the same.

“Our thoughts today are with his family; with his wife, Llinos, and their sons, Ifan and Osian, his mother and sister. Our deepest condolences to them in their loss.”

The Llywydd Elin Jones MS, said, “It’s such sad news to hear of Aled’s death.

“A cruel blow for his family but also a real loss to Welsh public life. He was a man of principle and full of passion for his language and country.

“Aled was well-liked and held in high esteem across politics. My condolences to his family.”

Commenting, Welsh Conservative and Shadow Welsh Language Minister Samuel Kurtz MS said: “We are very sad to hear about Aled Roberts’ passing and the thoughts of the Welsh Conservatives are with his family, friends, and colleagues at this difficult time.

“As a council leader, Assembly Member, and Welsh Language Commissioner, Aled made significant contributions to Welsh life that will be long remembered and well-regarded.

“He was always a pleasure to work with and we shall all miss his invaluable input into discussions on the future of our mother tongue. He will be deeply missed.”