Tributes to former Northampton North MP, Maureen Colquhoun, "a woman of huge integrity and courage"

Tributes have been paid to former Northampton North MP, Maureen Colquhoun, who has died at the age of 92.

Ms Colquhoun was MP between 1974 and 1979 and was the UK's first openly lesbian MP. During her time in Parliament she was a campaigner over gender balance, abortion rights and protection for prostitutes.

Tributes were led by Sally Keeble, who also served as an MP in the Northampton North constituency.

She said: "Maureen was a woman of huge integrity and courage. She represented Labour and four for her principles all her adult life, bringing people power to her battles, whether in Shoreham where she was first a councillor or in Parliament, where she represented Northampton North.

"It was there she met and fell in love with Babs Todd. Threatened by the Daily Mail, she came out and was the first openly lesbian MP.

"Her strength of character shone through in the resilience with which she bore the appalling venom that followed.

"Although her time in Parliament was short, she left an indelible mark. My deepest condolences to her family and the wide circle of friends and admirers.

"We Labour women have lost a great sister."