Labour giant Healey dies at 98

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.

He served as an MP for Leeds for 40 years from 1952 before joining the House of Lords in 1992. His family said he died peacefully at his home in Sussex on Saturday morning, after a short illness.

Lord Healey also came close to winning the Labour leadership in 1980, finishing just 10 votes behind winner Michael Foot.

BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said his death marked the end of an era in Labour’s history.

Labour leader Jeremy 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”.

A defining moment in Lord Healey’s career was when, as chancellor, he applied for an emergency loan from <g data-gr-id="27"><g data-gr-id="30">the the</g></g> International Monetary Fund in an effort to save the pound from collapse. 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. Healey was known for his tough, no-holds-barred style of debate.