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Parliament to pay tribute to Mandela Nelson Mandela: David Cameron pays tribute to 'towering' figure
(35 minutes later)
MPs and peers are to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela in Parliament shortly. David Cameron has described Nelson Mandela as a "towering figure" as he led MPs in tributes to the late South African president,
David Cameron will lead tributes to the ex-South African president in a special session starting at about 14:30 GMT. The UK prime minister said Mr Mandela "didn't see himself as a victim of history; he wrote it".
MPs and peers are to spend most of Monday paying their respects, with other parliamentary business delayed.
Labour leader Ed Miliband called Mr Mandela an "enduring symbol of hope and the fight against injustice".
And Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said people felt "they had lost a hero and a friend" and remembered a "politician who appeared to be free of all the pettiness of politics".
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who has devoted the whole of Monday's business to allowing MPs to discuss the life of the anti-apartheid campaigner, said: "This is a special day for special tributes to a special statesman, Nelson Mandela."
Mr Mandela died at home at the age of 95, after several months of ill health.
World leaders
A book of condolence has been set up in the Commons library for MPs, peers and staff to sign.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that former Prime Ministers Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will join Mr Cameron at Tuesday's memorial service for Mr Mandela in Johannesburg.Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that former Prime Ministers Sir John Major, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown will join Mr Cameron at Tuesday's memorial service for Mr Mandela in Johannesburg.
Some 60 heads of state and government have said they will attend the event or Sunday's state funeral.Some 60 heads of state and government have said they will attend the event or Sunday's state funeral.
Mr Cameron will represent the UK and join other world leaders at the service on Tuesday at the Soweto stadium in Johannesburg. Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband and Mr Clegg will represent the UK and join other world leaders at the service on Tuesday at the Soweto stadium in Johannesburg.
The stadium was the venue for the closing ceremony of the World Cup in 2010 - Mr Mandela's last public appearance. This was the venue for the closing ceremony of the World Cup in 2010 - Mr Mandela's last public appearance.
'Deeply saddened' The Prince of Wales is to represent the Queen at Mr Mandela's funeral on 15 December in the rural location of Qunu - the ex-president's childhood village.
British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and singer Peter Gabriel - who devised The Elders forum of statesmen and activists set up by Mr Mandela in 2007 to help solve global disputes - are also due at the service.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales is to represent the Queen at Mr Mandela's funeral on 15 December in the rural location of Qunu - the ex-president's childhood village.
The Queen will be unable to attend because of the length of the journey. She has said she is "deeply saddened" by his death.
The monarch is, however, expected to attend a national service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr Mandela at Westminster Abbey, which will take place in the new year.The monarch is, however, expected to attend a national service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr Mandela at Westminster Abbey, which will take place in the new year.
Mr Mandela died at home at the age of 95, after several months of ill health.
Ahead of the tributes in Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg signed a book of condolence at South Africa's High Commission in London.
The Liberal Democrat leader later tweeted part of his inscription: "The greatest tribute we can pay to his legacy is to fight for the human rights he championed."
Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband added their dedications last week.
A book of condolence has also been set up in the Commons library for MPs, peers and staff to sign.
Tributes and flowers have continued to be laid at Mr Mandela's statue in Parliament Square. He visited the UK for its unveiling in 2007 by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.Tributes and flowers have continued to be laid at Mr Mandela's statue in Parliament Square. He visited the UK for its unveiling in 2007 by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
'Heroic figure'
Following an opening address by Speaker John Bercow, Mr Cameron will lead tributes to Mr Mandela in the Commons at its usual Monday start time.
Speaking during a visit to Norfolk earlier on Monday, the prime minister said it was important to mark the passing of an "absolutely heroic figure in history, in world history".
"I'm sure Parliament will rise to the occasion and will reflect the concerns right across this country that we've lost an incredible hero who did an incredible thing for our world," he added.
Other party leaders and backbenchers are also expected to pay their respects.
The BBC understands that no time limit will be put on speeches by MPs and that the occasion is likely to take up the majority of the day's parliamentary business.
The scheduled business of defence questions has been postponed. The day's sitting would normally last until 22:00 GMT.
Tributes are also planned in the House of Lords.
A civic event will take place later in the week at Westminster Hall, where Mr Mandela addressed both houses in 1996.A civic event will take place later in the week at Westminster Hall, where Mr Mandela addressed both houses in 1996.
Sources have said the event will be for a wide range of people whose lives were influenced by the former South African president.
On Sunday, the Archbishop of Canterbury paid tribute to Mr Mandela at a service of thanksgiving at St-Martin-in-the-Fields church in central London.