Prime Minister Liz Truss says Queen was 'one greatest leaders the world has ever known' as she pays tribute
09.09.2022 - 15:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Prime Minister Liz Truss has paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in Parliament, describing her as 'one greatest leaders the world has ever known'. MPs observed a minute’s silence in memory of the Queen in the House of Commons chamber on Friday (September 9).
They stood in a crowded chamber with heads bowed. Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle led the tributes, telling MPs: “She is wed in our minds with the crown and all it stands for.”
Ms Truss made her tribute to the Queen in a full, silent Commons chamber, with MPs on all benches clothed in black. She began by noting that 'in the hours since last night's shocking news, we have witnessed the most heartfelt outpouring of grief at the loss of her late Majesty the Queen.'
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She continued: "Crowds have gathered, flags have been lowered to half mast, tributes have been sent from every continent around the world. On the death of her father King George VI, Winston Churchill said the news had stilled the clatter and traffic of 20th century life in many lands.
"Now 70 years later in the tumult of the 21st century life has paused again. Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was one of the greatest leaders the world has ever known.” Truss said that the United Kingdom is the 'great country it is today' because of her.
The Prime Minister said: "She was devoted to the union of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. She served 15 countries as head of state and she loved them all.
"Her words of wisdom gave us strength in the most testing times. During the darkest moments of the pandemic, she gave us hope that we would meet again.
"She knew this