Tributes have been paid to former Labour chancellor Lord Denis Healey, who has died aged 98, with political foes and allies describing him as a "giant" of Westminster.
The Labour peer served in Number 11 during the 1974-79 government and became the party's deputy leader in 1980 during a career on the frontline of British politics which began in 1952.
He died peacefully at his home in Sussex this morning after a short illness, his family said.
The Labour veteran, often viewed as "the best prime minister the party never had", served as a major in the Royal Engineers in North Africa and Italy.
During the Anzio landings he was a beach master, received the MBE, and was mentioned in despatches.
Lord Healey stood unsuccessfully for election in 1945 and eventually entered the Commons as MP for Leeds South East in 1952.
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