"On behalf of everyone in the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I extend our deepest condolences to Mark, his family and friends.". The wife of the First Minister of Wales, Clare Drakeford, has died. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which Glamorgan Cricket shared their condolences on Twitter with a photo of the First Minister and Clare Drakeford watching the team play. When she and Mrs Drakeford met, she said it was "obvious how strong the bond between her and Mark was". To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Ive been married for a very long time and not to be in the house and to be at a physical distance, even though we saw each other every day and talked every day, it was a puzzling experience in that sort of way and for that to be over it is a bit emotional for everybody.. "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family," he said. Another former prime minister, Gordon Brown, said he was sorry to hear of Mrs Drakeford's death, adding: "She will be greatly missed. Benjamin Bibi Netanyahu is an Israeli politician who was the countrys ninth Prime Minister from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 until 2021. Clare Drakeford, wife of Labour's Mark Drakeford, passed away on Saturday, the Welsh Government announced. CLARE Drakeford, the wife of the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has announced. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. Family and friends of the couple, as well as senior politicians, attended the private service at Wenallt Chapel in Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff, on Thursday morning. He has written in-depth articles about the site's iterations and has used them since the beginning. Web28 January The Welsh Government announces that Clare Drakeford, the wife of First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly. During his political career, Drakeford has focused on issues such as healthcare, social services, and finance, and he has been a strong advocate for the Welsh language and culture. He said in February 2021 how they were in the top four priority groups for vaccination "due to their conditions". They lived in Cardiff at the time of her death. For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. The First Minister will attend a reception to He added: "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.". Welsh leader Mark Drakeford has been open about his wifes role in his ministerial position since the beginning of his senior political career. VideoRecord numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Business Minister Lesley Griffiths said Mr Drakeford would be grateful for MSs' condolences. "On behalf of the whole Labour Party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family," he said. Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price posted on social media: "My heart is absolutely breaking for @PrifWeinidog after hearing of the sudden passing of his wife, Clare Drakeford. The pair had lived in separate homes in order to "keep her safe". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Mr Drakeford said he had been living in a separate building in the garden of his family home while Mrs Drakeford stayed inside the main home. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said she is sending Mark Drakeford "love and strength" following the news that his wife, Clare, has died suddenly. She is currently representing Colorados third congressional district. He told ITV Wales: Ive been married for a very long time and not to be in the house and to be at a physical distance, even though we saw each other every day and talked every day, it was a puzzling experience in that sort of way and for that to be over it is a bit emotional for everybody.. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Croeso. A Welsh Government spokesman said: W & C.", The First Minister of Scotland and SNP Leader, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time. "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time,". The 66-year-old had been married to the minister for 46 years and they had three children together. Family and friends of the couple, as well as senior politicians, attended the private service at Wenallt Chapel in Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff, on Thursday morning. ", Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "My heartfelt sympathies go out to the First Minister at this very difficult time. Clare Drakeford, wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, dies suddenly Mum-of-three Clare Drakeford was married to the Welsh Labour leader for a number of Mark Drakeford and his wife Clare have three children together, and one of them is known as Jonathan Drakeford. A spokesperson for the Welsh government confirmed They lived in Cardiff at the time of her death. Sending him love and strength," she added. Leader of the Labour Party, Kier Starmer, tweeted: "Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford. On the occasions I met Clare, she was always a lovely lady and was very warm and kind. "They are all in our thoughts and prayers.". Mr Drakeford and his wife married in 1977 and had three children. Mr Drakeford has been First Minister of Wales since 2018. "On the occasions I met Clare, she was always a lovely lady and was very warm and kind. "My thoughts are with Mark and his family at this terribly sad time," Ms Sturgeon tweeted. "It is with deep sadness that we confirm Mark Drakeford is a Welsh politician who has built his career within the Welsh Labour Party. I want to send my condolences to Mark Drakeford after the terrible news about his wife Clare. Others including the Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, and the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, Andrew RT Davies, tweeted their condolences. I know just how close they were as a couple, and I can only imagine the sense of loss Mark and the whole family are feeling. 29th Jan 2023, 12:45pm. We're all here for you Mark.". In December 2018, he was elected as the First Minister of Wales, the head of the Welsh government, and he continues to hold that position. During the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Drakeford moved into a building in his garden to protect his wife and mother-in-law, who he said had been shielding. Video, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story, living in a building in his garden to keep his family safe, Prince Andrew offered Frogmore Cottage - reports, Beer and wine sales in Canada fall to all-time low, Bieber cancels remaining Justice world tour dates, Trump lashes out at Murdoch over vote fraud case, Man survives 31 days in jungle by eating worms, Eli Lilly caps monthly insulin costs in US at $35, Ed Sheeran says wife developed tumour in pregnancy. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Mark Drakeford has spoken about how St David's Day is an "opportunity for us to show who we are and what we stand for". Mark Drakeford spoke of "difficult days" after his wife and mother fell ill with coronavirus in 2020. ", Welsh Conservatives leader Andrew RT Davies said: "My thoughts and prayers are with Mark Drakeford and his family at this exceptionally difficult time. Arrest And Charge. It is with great sadness that we confirm the unexpected death of Clare Drakeford, the First Ministers wife, a spokesman said. My thoughts are with you and your family. "The thoughts of everyone in the Welsh Government are with the family at this time and we ask that their privacy is respected.". Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. It was discovered that Clare had been staying inside their city property while the First Minister had been residing in a separate structure in the grounds of his family house. Throughout his political career, Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, enjoyed the Mr Drakeford has been the First Minister of Wales since 2018 - succeeding Carwyn Jones. They lived in Cardiff at the time of her death. Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies, called the news "absolutely devastating". What would the impact be on his wife Clare and their three grown-up children, he wondered.". Mr Drakeford and his wife married in 1977 and had three children. The wife of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has confirmed. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. A statement read: "It is with deep sadness that we confirm the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford, wife of the First Minister. "The entire Scottish Labour family sends our love and condolences. Jo Stevens, Labour MP for Cardiff Central, expressed: "So shocked and so very sad at the news of Clare Drakeford's death. The Welsh government announced the death of Clare Drakeford, 66, with "deep sadness". Rishi Sunak sent his "heartfelt condolences" to Mark Drakeford and his family. Croeso. BBC Wales previously reported that before he threw his hat into the ring, he was hesitant at first - with the family man considering what the impact on his wife and their three children may be. The couple were living in Cardiff at the time of Mrs Drakeford's death. Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford with his wife Clare Credit: AFP Who was Clare Drakeford? Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the seventh session of First Minister's Questions in 2023. Since deciding to run for First Minister of Wales, the 67-year-old had expressed concern about the impact on his family. Taking to Twitter, the University wrote: ''The University community is saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mrs Clare Drakeford. Clare Drakeford, the wife of Waless First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh Government has announced. The wife of Wales s first minister Mark Drakeford has died suddenly, the Welsh government has confirmed. Before starting her career as a politician, she used to, Read More What Is Wrong With Lauren Boebert Health? Mr Drakeford said they were in the top four vaccination priority groups "due to their conditions". Our deepest condolences to Mr Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, and his family. A Republican, he has represented New Yorks 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since 2015. The First Minister has rarely spoken about his family life but in February 2021, he revealed he had been isolating from his wife for most of 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic in order to keep her and her elderly mother safe while they were shielding due to their health conditions. We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story. Mr and Mrs Drakeford married in 1977 and the family have lived in Pontcanna, Cardiff, for 30 years. Denys Monastyrsky Killed, Read More Denys Monastyrsky, Ukrainian Interior Minister And Other Members Killed In Helicopter CrashContinue, What Is Wrong With Lauren Boebert Health? Mark and Clare Drakeford were married in 1977 and have three children together. The couple have three adult children. "I know just how close they were as a couple, and I can only imagine the sense of loss Mark and the whole family are feeling.". He said: "Im deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Clare Drakeford. On behalf of the whole Labour party, I send our deepest condolences to Mark and all the family, he said. W & C.". Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he was "shocked and saddened" by the news. According to the Welsh Government, Clare Drakeford died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 28. I'm shocked and deeply saddened to hear of her passing.". Husband, Family And Net Worth, Former Memphis Police Officer Demetrius Haley Wife: Is He Married? The couple lived apart during much of the COVID pandemic, with Mr Drakeford staying in a building at the end of the couple's garden to allow him to carry on work while his wife remained at the house with his elderly mother-in-law, who was shielding. Speaking on an ITV Wales podcast, the first minister said: It is a bit emotional. Anas Sarwar the leader of Scotlands democratic socialist party tweeted: "I cant put into words how heartbroken I am for Mark Drakeford and his family on the passing of his wife Clare. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. In February 2021, Mark Drakeford revealed that he had been living separately from his wife, Dr. Eleri Melangell Dafydd, during the coronavirus pandemic to keep her and her elderly mother safe while they were shielded due to their health conditions. 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