Westminster Abbey to honour former PM Harold Wilson

Lord Wilson was born in Huddersfield but was Labour MP for Huyton

Former Prime Minister Lord Wilson of Rievaulx is to be honoured at Westminster Abbey with a memorial stone to be dedicated in 2013.

Harold Wilson, who served as Prime Minister from 1964-70 and 1974-76, joins a long line of ex-premiers either buried or commemorated in the Abbey.

The Huddersfield-born Labour politician was elected in 1945 for Ormskirk but was later MP for Huyton.

Lord Wilson, who left the Commons in 1983, died in 1995, aged 79.

The former Prime Minister, who grew up in Wirral, was elected to the Commons in 1945 and made a peer 38 years later.

'Distinguished predecessors'

The Very Rev Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, said: "Almost every UK Prime Minister from the first half of the 20th century is buried or memorialised in the abbey but so far none who held office since 1955.

"As part of our continuing commitment to our neighbours in the Palace of Westminster and Whitehall, it is appropriate for the abbey, where a memorial service for Lord Wilson was held in July 1995, to memorialise him alongside his distinguished predecessors."

"We have announced memorials to other prime ministers from the latter half of the 20th century, but Lord Wilson's, whose widow is happily still with us, will be installed first."

Lord Wilsons's daughter-in-law Joy Crispin Wilson said: 'The Lady Wilson of Rievaulx and her family are very pleased that a memorial stone to her late husband.......is to be placed on the floor of Westminster Abbey in the near future."

Details of the design and location within the abbey church, and the dedication will be announced later.