Former British Labour Party leader Michael Foot has died at the age of 96.

He passed awaty shortly before 7am at his home in Hampstead, north London. He had been ill for some time and had been receiving 24-hour care.

Mr Foot had represented the British government during the celebrations marking the closure of the British military base in Malta in 1979, when he was Leader of the House of Commons.

A member of a prominent Liberal family, Mr Foot joined Labour in the 1930s and worked as a journalist for left-wing publications New Statesman and Tribune, before being appointed editor of the Evening Standard by Lord Beaverbrook in 1942.

He entered Parliament in 1945 and went on to become a hero of the left, championing nuclear disarmament and campaigning against British membership of the European Economic Community in the 1975 referendum.

He became Labour leader in 1980, defeating the candidate of the right, Denis Healey, and led the party to its worst election defeat in 60 years in 1983.

He is best remembered for his sparkling oratory and political idealism.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Michael Foot was a man of deep principle and passionate idealism and one of the most eloquent speakers Britain has ever heard.

"He was an indomitable figure who always stood up for his beliefs and whether people agreed with him or not they admired his character and his steadfastness.

"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."