Jeremy Corbyn has paid tribute to Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro after his death aged 90.
The Labour leader, a longtime supporter of the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, said Castro's death "marks the passing of a huge figure in modern history, national independence, and 20th-century socialism."
“From building a world-class health and education system, to Cuba’s record of international solidarity abroad, Castro’s achievements were many," Corbyn said in a written statement.
“For all his flaws, Castro’s support for Angola played a crucial role in bringing an end to Apartheid in South Africa and he will be remembered both as an internationalist and a champion of social justice.”
Foreign secretary Boris Johnson meanwhile said the death of Castro marked the start of a new era for Cuba.
Fidel #Castro's death marks the end of an era for #Cuba & the start of a new one for Cuba's people
Castro's death was announced on Cuban state TV by his brother and successor as president, Raúl.
While Cuba is beginning nine days of mourning, and world leaders have been recognising Castro's impact on history, his death sparked celebrations among Cuban-Americans in Miami, Florida.
Those "flaws" acknowledged by Corbyn include the establishment of a one-party state, the execution of hundreds of supporters of the regime he toppled, the imprisonment of political enemies, a ban on independent media, and the sending of gay people – among other so-called "ideological enemies" – to forced labour camps.
But Corbyn said the revolutionary leader's true legacy would be improvements he made to Cuba's education and health services.
Speaking to Sky News, Corbyn described Castro as "huge figure in our lives".
"I remember the Cuban missile crisis, and all the fear that was going on then. And I’ve visited Cuba a couple or three times, and indeed I’ve cycled round Cuba with one of my sons," he said.
"Latterly things have changed a lot in Cuba. There is a greater recognition that economic progress must go hand-in-hand in improvements with human rights and the rights of free speech, and I think that’s changed and developed a lot in Cuba."
Corbyn continued: "History will show Castro was such a key figure. And he’s seen off a lot of US presidents. Remember when he first became the president in Cuba, Eisenhower was the president of the USA. And we’re now many, many presidents later, all of whom pledged to get rid of Castro, none of them succeeded in doing so. And it’s to the credit of both the Castros, Fidel and his younger brother, that they and President Obama reached an accord and reached an agreement so there are now better, more normal relationships between Cuba and the USA."