Tributes have flooded in from across the political platform for a man who has been described as “one of Montgomeryshire's greatest ever citizens” by current MP Glyn Davies.

Lord Hooson was educated at Denbigh Grammar School and Aberystwyth University before becoming a QC in 1960 and later a judge. He represented child killer Ian Brady in the Moors murders trial in the 1960s.

He became MP for Montgomeryshire in a by-election in 1962, following the death of the former Liberal Party leader Clement Davies. Five years later he contested the party leadership, but withdrew in favour of the eventual winner Jeremy Thorpe.

By the time of the 1979 General Election Montgomeyshire had been a Liberal stronghold for 99 years, but Lord Hooson lost his seat to his Conservative opponent Delwyn Williams. He was later appointed a life peer as Baron Hooson of Montgomery.

Mr. Davies has been quick to pay tribute in saying: “I feel a sense of great sadness, and sympathy for his wife Shirley, Lady Hooson, who along with Emlyn were great personal friends.

“Emlyn Hooson was a brilliant man in every field he entered. He was a very successful barrister, who became Britain's youngest ever Q.C. and a hugely respected MP for Montgomeryshire. He is still remembered with affection today in the Houses of Parliament, across all parties.

“I knew Emlyn for about 40 years, and though he belonged to a different political party, I never found cause to have a cross word with him. He was logical in debate, determined in his opinion, and unfailingly polite and generous of spirit. I will never forget my conversations with him about his own personal memories of his friends, Churchill, Lloyd George, and Aneurin Bevan.

“Emlyn was also a great supporter of the Welsh Language, it being his first language, and also of the National Eisteddfod. My last conversation with Emlyn, a few weeks ago was wholly in Welsh. Montgomeryshire has lost one of its special people, and I've lost a good friend.

Brecon and Radnorshire AM and Welsh Lib Dem leader Kirsty Williams said: "Emlyn Hooson was respected in the House of Lords and the wider political community for his passionate liberalism, his love of Wales and his sharp intellect.

"Not only will he be remembered for his high profile legal work, he will also be remembered for establishing the Welsh Liberal Party in Wales - something we are still proud of today.

"He was a steadfast Liberal who cared for the people of Montgomeryshire and Wales. Emlyn was also a fervent advocate of Welsh culture and music having been president of both the national and international eisteddfod."

Lord Hooson had a close interest in the cultural and musical life of Wales, and was president of the National Eisteddfod of Wales at Newtown. In 1966 and the following year, he was made Honorary White Bard of the National Gorsedd of Bards.

He was president of the International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen between 1987 and 1993.