David Cameron has led tributes to former chancellor Lord Geoffrey Howe, who has died aged 88.
The Tory grandee was Margaret Thatcher's longest-serving Cabinet minister - but was widely held to have ended her premiership with a devastating resignation speech in 1990.
A statement issued by his family said: "It is with deep sadness that the Howe family today announced that Geoffrey Howe died suddenly late yesterday evening, aged 88, at his home in Warwickshire, of a suspected heart attack, after enjoying a local jazz concert with his wife Elspeth.
"There will be a private family funeral, followed by a memorial service in due course. The family would be grateful for privacy at this time."
Mr Cameron described Lord Howe as a "kind, gentle and deeply thoughtful man" who had "never stopped giving strong and sound advice".
"The Conservative family has lost one of its greats," the Prime Minister added.