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Ex-Labour chief Michael Foot dies Ex-Labour chief Michael Foot dies
(about 1 hour 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.
Prime Minister and Labour leader Gordon Brown led the tributes, describing Mr Foot as a "man of deep principle and passionate idealism".Prime Minister and Labour leader Gordon Brown led the tributes, describing Mr Foot as a "man of deep principle and passionate idealism".
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.
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. A lifelong peace campaigner and left wing rebel, Mr Foot led the Labour Party during one of the most turbulent periods in its history - with senior figures on the right breaking away to form their own party, the SDP.
But he is remembered with affection from across the political spectrum as one of the great Parliamentary orators and debaters. He was forced to quit as leader after just three years when Labour suffered its heaviest election defeat in 50 years, with a left wing manifesto dubbed "the longest suicide note in history".
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". But he is remembered as one of the great Parliamentary orators and debaters, whose intellect and wide interests outside politics - and his sometimes untidy appearance on the campaign trail - and belonged to an era before spin and presentation took over politics.
Commons speaker John Bercow added to Mr Straw's tribute, describing Mr Foot as a "quite extraordinarily distinguished Parliamentarian". 'Unifying leader'
Labour Party General Secretary Ray Collins said: "Michael Foot's passing is very sad news for the Labour Party and the wider movement. Gordon Brown described him as a "unifying leader" of the Labour Party and a "genuine British radical" who would be remembered with affection by people from across the political spectrum.
"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." Paying tribute to his personal friend outside Downing Street, the prime minister said: "Michael Foot was a man of deep principle and great idealism.
"He was the best Parliamentary debater of his generation and one of the most eloquent, and indeed one of the most humorous, speakers I think the country has ever had."
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 David CameronConservative leader In pictures: Michael Foot In quotes: Michael Foot
He said Mr Foot would be mourned as a "man who was good, compassionate and dedicated to his country".
Announcing Mr Foot's 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".
Former Labour deputy prime minister John Prescott said in a message via Twitter: "So sad to hear about Michael Foot. A great man has died. He was the heart of our movement."
Lord (Denis) Healey, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, who Mr Foot defeated in the 1980 leadership contest, 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."
And Tony Benn, who stood against Mr Healey for the deputy leadership in 1981 despite Mr Foot's appeal for him to avoid a divisive battle, also paid tribute.
'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." He told BBC News Mr Foot always "meant what he said" and was "what the Labour Party's all about".
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."
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.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.
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.
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.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.