Labour peer Ruth Rendell has passed away

Ruth Rendell, the crime novelist and Labour peer, has passed away today aged 85. Rendell was elevated to the House of Lords in 1997 and introduced the bill that would later become the Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2003 – making it illegal for UK nationals to carry out the practice outside of the country, and extending the maximum penalty from five to 14 years. In the late 1990s, she was one of the largest donors to the Labour Party.

Reacting to her passing, Ed Miliband praised her service as a parliamentarian:

“Ruth Rendell was an outstanding and hugely popular figure in British literature and, for the last 18 years, served the Labour Party in the House of Lords with great loyalty and passion.

“Her books are loved by millions all over the world, and have brought such enjoyment and fascination to their readers.

“On behalf of the Labour Party, I offer my sincere condolences to Ruth’s family.”