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.

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