Tributes after Damilola mother dies

Gloria Taylor dedicated her life to helping underprivileged young people after the death of her son almost eight years ago.

The 57-year-old collapsed after suffering a suspected heart attack while walking near her home in Shooters Hill, south-east London.

Colleagues at the Damilola Taylor Trust, which she founded with husband Richard in 2001, said she had been feeling unwell for more than a week.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said his thoughts and those of "many, many" colleagues were with the Taylor family.

He said: "I'm sure that, like me, many people were moved by the dignified and impressive way that Gloria and Richard Taylor dealt with the tragedy of Damilola's terrible death and the high profile inquiries that followed it.

"I know that their fortitude throughout the three criminal trials, together with their almost unshakeable faith that the truth would be known, was a great comfort and inspiration to Metropolitan Police officers and staff who worked so hard on the investigations."

London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has worked closely with both Mrs Taylor and her husband Richard, said he was deeply saddened.

He said: "I was always struck by her dignity, courage and determination to give hope and opportunity for young people in London."

Damilola, 10, bled to death on a stairwell on the North Peckham estate in south London in November 2000 after being stabbed in the leg with a broken beer bottle.