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| Denis Healey. |
Former chancellor Denis Healey has died at the age of 98,his family
has said. Lord Healey was Labour's defence secretary from 1964 to 1970 and chancellor of the exchequer from 1974 to 1979 before becoming deputy party leader in opposition in 1980.
The former Leeds MP's family said he died peacefully at his Sussex home on Saturday, after a short illness.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was "a Labour giant". The PM said he was a "huge figure of post-war politics".
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Lord Healey's death marked the end of an era in Labour's history.
Mr Corbyn tweeted: "Denis Healey was a Labour giant whose record of service to party and country stands as his testament. All our thoughts are with his family."
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said he was "absolutely loyal to the Labour Party" and a "towering intellect".
Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Facebook: "We've lost a huge figure of post-war politics. A hero in World War Two as Beach Master at Anzio and a brave politician, Denis Healey told his party hard truths about Britain having to live within her means."
Lord Healey served as an MP for Leeds for 40 years from 1952 before joining the House of Lords in 1992.
A defining moment in his career came in 1976 when, as chancellor, he applied for an emergency loan from the the International Monetary Fund in an effort to save the pound from collapse.
He came close to winning the Labour leadership in 1980, finishing just 10 votes behind winner Michael Foot.
A graduate of Oxford university, he also served in the Army, joining operations in North Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War Two.
His wife, Edna, died in 2010.
Source: BBC
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