TRIBUTES have been paid following the passing of the Welsh Language Commissioner Aled Roberts - a graduate of Aberystwyth University.

Mr Roberts, who graduated in law from Aberystwyth, passed away aged 59 on Monday after a short illness.

Ceredigion MS and Llywydd of the Senedd Elin Jones said Mr Roberts was “full of passion for his language and country.”

“This is a cruel loss for his family but also a bitter blow for Welsh public life,” Ms Jones said.

“Aled was well-liked and held in high esteem across the political world.”

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said she was devastated by the news, which she said was a “deep blow” to the party.

“Aled was a committed liberal and was known for his extraordinary hard work as both an assembly member for North Wales and as a senior councillor,” she said.

“A tireless advocate of the protection and promotion of Welsh, he excelled in his role as the Welsh language commissioner and sought to promote the language in all aspects of life, including in his role as an assembly member.”

Mr Roberts was born in Rhosllannerchrugog, near Wrexham.

After studying law at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, he worked as a solicitor in Ruthin and Mold.

As a councillor he represented Ponciau ward from 1991 to 2012, and was elected leader of Wrexham council in March 2005.

He then served as an Assembly Member for North Wales from 2011 to 2016.

Mr Roberts took over from Meri Huws as commissioner - who promotes the Welsh language and protects the rights of speakers to use it - in April 2019.

Mr Roberts was appointed into the role of Welsh language commissioner by former first minister Carwyn Jones.

His successor, Welsh Labour leader First Minister Mark Drakeford, said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news.

“I am very sorry that his time and his work as commissioner has been cut short in such an untimely way,” he said.

“He will be missed in so many ways.”