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| Labour stalwart Tony Benn dies at 88 | Labour stalwart Tony Benn dies at 88 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former Cabinet minister and veteran left-wing campaigner Tony Benn has died at home, his family has said. | Former Cabinet minister and veteran left-wing campaigner Tony Benn has died at home, his family has said. |
| The 88-year-old former Labour MP had been seriously ill. | The 88-year-old former Labour MP had been seriously ill. |
| Mr Benn became an MP in November 1950 and served in the Cabinet under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. | Mr Benn became an MP in November 1950 and served in the Cabinet under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan. |
| A major figure on the left of the party, he narrowly missed out on the deputy leadership in 1981 and went on to be a popular public speaker, anti-war campaigner and political diarist. | A major figure on the left of the party, he narrowly missed out on the deputy leadership in 1981 and went on to be a popular public speaker, anti-war campaigner and political diarist. |
| In a statement his children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa and Joshua said Mr Benn died peacefully early this morning at his home in west London surrounded by his family. | In a statement his children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa and Joshua said Mr Benn died peacefully early this morning at his home in west London surrounded by his family. |
| "We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff and carers who have looked after him with such kindness in hospital and at home", the family said. | |
| "We will miss above all his love which has sustained us throughout our lives. But we are comforted by the memory of his long, full and inspiring life and so proud of his devotion to helping others as he sought to change the world for the better." | "We will miss above all his love which has sustained us throughout our lives. But we are comforted by the memory of his long, full and inspiring life and so proud of his devotion to helping others as he sought to change the world for the better." |
| They said arrangements for his funeral will be announced in due course. | They said arrangements for his funeral will be announced in due course. |
| Labour leader Ed Miliband led the tributes to an "iconic figure of our age". | |
| "He will be remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician", Mr Miliband said. | |
| "Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, everyone knew where he stood and what he stood for." | |
| Mr Miliband revealed he paid a visit to Mr Benn in hospital recently, describing him as being "as sharp as ever in mind". | |
| He said: "As I left he said to me 'Well, old son. Let's have a proper talk when you have more time'." | |
| He added: "He believed in movements and mobilised people behind him for the causes he cared about, often unfashionable ones. In a world of politics that is often too small, he thought big about our country and our world. | |
| "Above all, as I had cause to know, he was an incredibly kind man. I did work experience with him at the age of 16. I may have been just a teenager but he treated me as an equal. | |
| "It was the nature of the man and the principle of his politics." | |
| 'Never a dull moment' | |
| He added: "All of my condolences go to his children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa and Joshua and his wider family. In their own ways, they are all a tribute to him as a father, a socialist, and a most decent human being." | |
| Prime Minister David Cameron also paid tribute to the Labour veteran on Twitter. | |
| He said: "Tony Benn was a magnificent writer, speaker and campaigner. There was never a dull moment listening to him, even if you disagreed with him." | |
| Former cabinet minister Peter Hain said: "Tony Benn was a giant of socialism who encouraged me to join Labour in 1977: wonderful inspirational speaker and person: will be deeply missed." | |
| Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington Diane Abbott also paid tribute to Mr Benn. | |
| "Admired so many things about Benn: unwavering principles; always open to new ideas; stellar political speaker but unfailingly courteous", she said. | |
| What are your memories of Tony Benn? Did you meet or work with him? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Tony Benn' in the subject heading and including your contact details. |