LONDON, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The leader of Britain's House of Lords, Lord Williams of Mostyn, died unexpectedly at his home in Gloucestershire Saturday at the age of 62
The cause of death had not been determined, the BBC said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a statement calling Williams a "kind and generous man" who "sparked huge affection in all those who knew him.
"It will be hard for his Cabinet colleagues and his many friends within and outside politics to accept that we will not see him again," Blair said.
Mary Marsh of the children's charity NSPCC said Williams' death was an enormous loss.
"Children have lost a wise and great champion for children," she said.
Williams was a former lawyer who, at the time of his death, headed the process of reform of the upper chamber of Parliament.
Born Gareth Williams near Prestatyn, north Wales, he is survived by his wife, three daughters and one son.
