Ex-labour leader Michael Foot dies
Wednesday 3rd March 2010, 1:00PM GMT.
Mr Foot with Tony Blair in 2003
Former Labour leader Michael Foot died today, aged 96.
Mr Foot died shortly before 7am at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Mr Foot was a “genuine British radical” who had been a “respected and unifying” leader of the Labour Party. He added: “Michael Foot was a man of deep principle and passionate idealism and one of the most eloquent speakers Britain has ever heard.
“The respect he earned over a long life of service means that across our country today people, no matter their political views, will mourn the passing of a great and compassionate man.”
Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced the death to MPs. He said: “I am sure that this news will be received with great sadness not only in my own party but across the country as a whole.”
Tory leader David Cameron said Mr Foot had been a “remarkable man”.
He said: “He was a brilliant speaker. 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.”
Labour former deputy prime minister John Prescott said in a message via Twitter: “A great man has died. He was the heart of our movement.”
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
Foot was nothing more than a lunatic idealist with crazy ideas. This was exposed in 1983 when his party were thrashed in a general election.
May he rest in peace.
Report abuse
Nice One HSJP! I think your DID kicked in somewhere between the 1st and 2nd Paragraph.
Report abuse