Clare Drakeford: Wife of Wales' FM Mark Drakeford dies suddenly - BBC

Clare Drakeford, the woman of Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford, has died suddenly, the Welsh authorities has said.

A spokesperson confirmed the quality with "deep sadness".

He added: "The thoughts of everyone successful the Welsh authorities are with the household astatine this clip and we inquire that their privateness is respected."

Downing Street said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had passed connected his "deepest condolences" to Mr Drakeford privately.

Mr Sunak aboriginal wrote connected societal media: "Incredibly bittersweet to perceive astir the abrupt decease of Clare Drakeford.

"I cognize however committed Mark and Clare were to each other. I can't ideate the symptom Mark and his household volition present beryllium feeling."

Labour person Sir Keir Starmer said helium was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

"On behalf of the full Labour Party, I nonstop our deepest condolences to Mark and each the family," helium said.

"I cognize conscionable however adjacent they were arsenic a couple, and I tin lone ideate the consciousness of nonaccomplishment Mark and the full household are feeling."

Mr Drakeford and his household person lived successful Pontcanna, Cardiff, for 30 years. The mates person 3 big children.

"They are each successful our thoughts and prayers," Sir Keir added.

The Prince and Princess of Wales wrote connected Twitter: "Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mark Drakeford and his family."

Mr Drakeford said they were successful the apical 4 vaccination precedence groups "due to their conditions".

In October 2020 helium spoke of the "difficult days" of that twelvemonth erstwhile his woman and parent fell sick with coronavirus.

He revealed helium was hesitant astir moving to beryllium archetypal curate erstwhile Carwyn Jones stepped down successful 2018 due to the fact that of the potential interaction connected his family.

Words of condolence person poured successful from crossed the governmental spectrum.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "My thoughts are with Mark and his household astatine this terribly bittersweet time".

When she and Mrs Drakeford met, she said it was "obvious however beardown the enslaved betwixt her and Mark was".

"I tin lone ideate the extent of grief helium is feeling. Sending him emotion and strength," she said.

Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies, called the quality "absolutely devastating".

He offered his "thoughts and prayers" during "this incredibly hard time".

The person of the Welsh Conservatives successful the Senedd, Andrew RT Davies, said helium was "shocked and profoundly saddened" to perceive of her death.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Mark Drakeford and his household astatine this exceptionally hard time," helium said.

"On the occasions I met Clare, she was ever a beauteous woman and was precise lukewarm and kind."

Plaid Cymru person Adam Price said his bosom was "absolutely breaking" for Mr Drakeford.

"I cognize however adjacent you were and determination are nary words to picture the symptom you indispensable beryllium feeling," helium said.

"My thoughts are with you and your family. We're each present for you Mark."

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds, said her thoughts were with Mr Drakeford and his household astatine "this precise hard time". 

"On behalf of everyone successful the Welsh Liberal Democrats, I widen our deepest condolences to Mark, his household and friends," Ms Dodds said.

Sinn Fein vice president, Michelle O'Neill, offered her condolences saying: "My thoughts and prayers are with him and his household arsenic they mourn their nonaccomplishment and travel to presumption with their grief."

The Presiding Officer of the Senedd, Ceredigion MS Elin Jones, said: "As a Senedd we are profoundly saddened to larn of Clare Drakeford's passing.

"We are holding Mark and his household adjacent to our hearts and nonstop them our deepest condolences, emotion and support."