Tributes have been paid to Labour former whip Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton, who has died aged 77.
The peer joined the House of Lords in 1994 after a career in local politics in Lancashire.
She served continuously on Labour’s frontbench in Tony Blair and Gordon Brown’s governments.
So very sad to learn of the death of Josie Farrington @LabourLordsUK Josie was Labour to the core, a great campaigner + public servant. The best whip with whom I had a privilege to serve
— Janet Royall (@LabourRoyall) March 30, 2018
Lord Falconer said: “She was brilliant in the Lords, the best most effective whip, above all because she never forgot why we were all there, and what it meant to be Labour. She will be greatly missed.”
Baroness Josie Farringdon has died. She was brilliant in the Lords, the best most effective whip, above all because she never forgot why we were all there, and what it meant to be Labour. She will be greatly missed.
— Charlie Falconer (@LordCFalconer) March 30, 2018
Baroness Royall tweeted: “So very sad to learn of the death of Josie Farrington @LabourLordsUK Josie was Labour to the core, a great campaigner + public servant. The best whip with whom I had a privilege to serve.”
Big Issue founder Lord Bird said the peer would be “missed by many”.
Labour former minister Angela Eagle said: “Very sad news – RIP Josie.”
Labour’s leader in the Lords, Baroness (Angela) Smith of Basildon said: “Josie was a tremendous character. She was highly respected and greatly loved within the Labour Peers Group, and more widely across our Party and beyond. We will miss her terribly.”
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