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Ex-Labour chief Michael Foot dies Ex-Labour chief Michael Foot dies
(20 minutes later)
Former Labour Party leader Michael Foot has died, aged 96.Former Labour Party leader Michael Foot has died, aged 96.
Mr Foot was elected Labour leader in 1980, succeeding Jim Callaghan, but stood down after a heavy defeat in the 1983 election to Margaret Thatcher.Mr Foot was elected Labour leader in 1980, succeeding Jim Callaghan, but stood down after a heavy defeat in the 1983 election to Margaret Thatcher.
Mr Foot, who was also a prolific writer, was first elected to Parliament in 1945 and was an MP for 42 years.Mr Foot, who was also a prolific writer, was first elected to Parliament in 1945 and was an MP for 42 years.
Prior to becoming Labour leader, Mr Foot served in the Callaghan and Harold Wilson governments as Minister for Employment and Commons leader. Prime Minister and Labour leader Gordon Brown led the tributes, describing Mr Foot as a "man of deep principle and passionate idealism".
Mr Foot's death was announced in the House of Commons by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who paid tribute to his skills as a Parliamentary orator, comparing one speech he had given in 1980 to a "Mozart concerto".
"He was held in very great affection in all sections of the House and the country," added Mr Straw.
'Sad news'
Commons speaker John Bercow added to Mr Straw's tribute, describing Mr Foot as a "quite extraordinarily distinguished Parliamentarian".
As leader of our party, a labour minister, a writer and a man he was a tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come Ray CollinsLabour Party general secretary Live: Reaction and tributes Obituary: Michael FootAs leader of our party, a labour minister, a writer and a man he was a tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come Ray CollinsLabour Party general secretary Live: Reaction and tributes Obituary: Michael Foot
Mr Foot died shortly before 0700 GMT at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time with fading health and had been receiving 24-hour care.Mr Foot died shortly before 0700 GMT at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time with fading health and had been receiving 24-hour care.
Labour Party General Secretary Ray Collins, on learning of Mr Foot's death, said: "Michael Foot's passing is very sad news for the Labour Party and the wider movement. A lifelong peace campaigner and left wing rebel, Mr Foot led the Labour Party during one of the most turbulent periods in its history and he was forced to quit after just three years when it suffered its heaviest election defeat in 50 years.
But he is remembered with affection from across the political spectrum as one of the great Parliamentary orators and debaters.
Announcing his death in the House of Commons, Justice Secretary Jack Straw compared one speech he gave in 1980 to a "Mozart concerto", saying he was "held in very great affection in all sections of the House and the country".
Commons speaker John Bercow added to Mr Straw's tribute, describing Mr Foot as a "quite extraordinarily distinguished Parliamentarian".
Labour Party General Secretary Ray Collins said: "Michael Foot's passing is very sad news for the Labour Party and the wider movement.
"As leader of our party, a Labour minister, a writer and a man he was a tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come.""As leader of our party, a Labour minister, a writer and a man he was a tireless campaigner for social justice, whose intelligence, charm and courage will be remembered for years to come."
Political friends and foe united today to pay tribute to Michael Foot.
Among the first was Lord (Denis) Healey, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who Mr Foot defeated in the 1980 leadership contest, who said: "I am very sorry indeed. Although I disagreed with him on issues - he was far to the left of me - I was glad to serve as his deputy."
'Thoughtful man''Thoughtful man'
Lord (Denis) Healey, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who Mr Foot defeated in the 1980 leadership contest, who said: "I am very sorry indeed. Although I disagreed with him on issues - he was far to the left of me - I was glad to serve as his deputy."
Conservative leader David Cameron described Mr Foot as a "remarkable man", adding: "I'm obviously not old enough to have been in the House of Commons at the same time, but reading some of his speeches (they) were incredibly powerful."Conservative leader David Cameron described Mr Foot as a "remarkable man", adding: "I'm obviously not old enough to have been in the House of Commons at the same time, but reading some of his speeches (they) were incredibly powerful."
Mr Cameron added: "He was a very intelligent, witty, amusing and thoughtful man."Mr Cameron added: "He was a very intelligent, witty, amusing and thoughtful man."
A left wing crusader, who first stood for Parliament in 1935, Michael Foot was known as one of the greatest speakers of his generation and a loyal servant of the Labour Party, although he took it to its worst electoral defeat in 50 years. Mr Foot first stood for Parliament in 1935, but he began his career as a journalist - editing the London Evening Standard by the age of 28. He had two spell as editor of left-wing journal Tribune, a magazine he would continue to contribute to into old age.
Harriet Harman told BBC Two's Daily Politics Mr Foot was "never held responsible" for the 1983 election disaster. The party was "riven" through no fault of his, she added.
Mr Foot began his career as a journalist, and was editing the London Evening Standard by the age of 28. He had two spell as editor of left-wing journal Tribune, a magazine he would continue to contribute to into old age.
He entered Parliament in 1945, in Clement Attlee's post war landslide and became a fierce champion of left wing causes as well as a founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.He entered Parliament in 1945, in Clement Attlee's post war landslide and became a fierce champion of left wing causes as well as a founder member of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
He was thrown out of the Parliamentary Labour Party for two years because he opposed increases in defence spending.He was thrown out of the Parliamentary Labour Party for two years because he opposed increases in defence spending.
Mr Foot first became MP for Plymouth Devonport, before going on to represent for Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent.Mr Foot first became MP for Plymouth Devonport, before going on to represent for Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent.
He was Employment Secretary in the 1974-76 Labour government under Harold Wilson and went on to become Leader of the Commons between 1976 and the 1979 general election. Before being elected Labour leader, he was Employment Secretary in the 1974-76 Labour government under Harold Wilson and went on to become Leader of the Commons between 1976 and the 1979 general election.