Quick Facts
Biography
Gareth Wyn Williams, Baron Williams of Mostyn PC QC (5 February 1941 – 20 September 2003) was a Welsh barrister and Labour politician who was Leader of the House of Lords, Lord President of the Council and a member of the Cabinet at the time of his sudden death in 2003.
Early life
Williams was born near Prestatyn, in North Wales, a son of Albert Thomas Williams and his wife Selina, née Evans. He was educated at Rhyl Grammar School and at Queens' College, Cambridge.
Legal career
He had a successful legal career, having been called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1965, taking silk in 1978, being a Recorder in 1978-2003, being a Deputy High Court Judge, being the Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit in 1987-89, and was a Member of the Bar Council in 1986-92 and became the Chairman in 1992.
Political career
He was created a life peer on 20 July 1992 as Baron Williams of Mostyn, of Great Tew in the County of Oxfordshire and became an opposition spokesman in the House of Lords on Legal Affairs, and later Northern Ireland. After Labour's election victory he appointed a Home Office minister, and in 1999 became Attorney General for England and Wales and Northern Ireland. He was appointed Leader of the House of Lords in 2001, initially with the sinecure office of Lord Privy Seal, for which Lord President of the Council was substituted in 2003.
Reputation among his colleagues
As part of the celebrations to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Life Peerages Act, Lord Williams was voted by the current members of the House of Lords as the outstanding life peer since the creation of the life peerage. In his book A View from the Foothills Chris Mullin wrote that he thought that Gareth Williams was most likely to succeed Derry Irvine as Lord Chancellor; the position was ultimately fulfilled by Charles Falconer.
Personal life
Lord Williams married firstly in 1962 Pauline, daughter of Ernest Clarke, and by her had two daughters, Martha (born 1973) and Emma (born 1976), and a son, Daniel (born 1981). They divorced, and he married secondly in 1994 Veena M Russell, and by her had one daughter, Imogen.
Death
He collapsed and died suddenly at his home in Gloucestershire, at the age of 62. He was survived by his four children.
Styles and arms
Styles of address
- 1941–1978: Mr Gareth Williams
- 1978–1992: Mr Gareth Williams QC
- 1992–1999: The Rt Hon. The Lord Williams of Mostyn QC
- 1999–2003: The Rt Hon. The Lord Williams of Mostyn PC QC
Coat of arms
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