Friends and foes pay tribute to a leading reformer

Friends, foes and allies of Lord Jenkins of Hillhead paid homage last night to a man they collectively described as an outstanding statesman of the post-war era and a distinguished intellectual and writer.

Tony Blair, for whom Lord Jenkins was a mentor and friend, said he was "one of the most remarkable people ever to grace British politics", and he would miss him deeply.

The Prime Minister said: "He had intellect, vision and an integrity that saw him hold firm to his beliefs of moderate social democracy, liberal reform and the cause of Europe throughout his life.'' He added: "He was a friend and support to me, and someone I was proud to know.''

Lord Owen, who had a sometimes difficult relationship with his co-founder of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), paid tribute to a natural reformer, influential both as a liberal Home Secretary and in the creation of New Labour. Lord Jenkins, he said, had benefited from being able to speak and write well. "He was in many senses a Renaissance man. But he was by any standards a major political figure and historical figure in the context of the last century."

Lord Owen and Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank, another founder of the SDP, remembered a convivial friend. Although known for his love of wine, Lord Jenkins had been far more interested in the conversation that accompanied it, Lord Owen said. "He was a brilliant conversationalist.''

Lord Rodgers said: "He was such a remarkable talent but had also a great capacity for personal friendship. He was a great human being. His friendship was far more important than just politics.''

Baroness Williams of Crosby, the final member of the SDP's founding "Gang of Four" said: "He was a remarkable political figure stamping his liberal views on the Home Office from prison reform to the reform of laws about homosexuality. He also had a rich and varied hinterland of interests beyond politics. We should recognise the passing of a very great man."

Lord Ashdown, the former Liberal Democrat leader, paid tribute to Lord Jenkins' political skills. "Probably no person outside the rank of prime minister has done more for British politics in our time. Many of us have lost a great friend, but we have also lost a great Liberal, a great European and a great man," he said.

Sir David Steel, a co-founder of the Liberal Democrats, described Lord Jenkins as "one of the greatest Britons of the second half of the 20th century".

Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, spoke of Lord Jenkins, who was president from 1977 to 1981, having a "lifelong devotion to the European cause". He said: "He will be remembered with great esteem and affection in the Commission for his historic role in the birth of the euro.''

The former prime ministerSir Edward Heath described him as one of the outstanding statesmen of the era. He said: "His work in Britain made a big impact on this country's affairs and when he severed his connection with the Labour Party his personal influence on the country was considerable."

The Conservative peer Lord Tebbit said: "Even his old opponents will be sad at his passing. He was a man of many talents, and perhaps his wonderful biography of Churchill recently will be the work for which he is most remembered."