👤 By Adenike Lucas

Representatives from across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Dame Tessa Jowell, the former Member of Parliament for Dulwich and West Norwood who died on Saturday night at the age of 70.

The former Labour cabinet minister who was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour last May, suffered a haemorrhage on Friday and had been in a coma until her death.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the Labour Party led tributes to the former Culture Minister. He said: “Her strength in raising awareness of her illness and fighting for better treatment for others inspired us all.”

The Prime Minister, Theresa May also described the late politician as an inspirational figure.

“The dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was inspirational. My sympathies to her loving family – Dame Tessa’s campaigning on brain cancer research is a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service.”

Dame Tessa, was a leading member of the Blairite faction of the Labour party. The 70-year-old served as Culture Secretary from 2001 to 2007 under the leadership of Tony Blair.

She played a master role in convincing Mr Blair to put in a bid for the London Olympics. London went on to win the bid thanks to Dame Tessa and Ken Livingstone, a former Mayor of London.

For her achievement she was appointed a life peer, with the title Baroness Jowell of Brixton in the London Borough of Lambeth.

Baroness Jowell eventually stood down as an MP in the 2015 general elections, hoping to become Mayor of London in 2016, however, she did not get enough votes from registered supporters of her party and Sadiq Khan, the Labour candidate went on to defeat Zac Goldsmith.

Mr Khan said: “Tessa’s legacy is there to see all around us. She more than anyone made the dream of bringing the Olympics and Paralympics to London a reality, fighting hard around the cabinet table to make it happen.”