FORMER Labour leader Michael Foot has died at the age of 96.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "a man of deep principle and passionate idealism" who fought all his life for his beliefs and for the Labour Party.

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

His death was announced to the House of Commons by Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who told MPs the news would be received "with great sadness not only in my own party but across the country as a whole".

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.

But today he was remembered more for his sparkling oratory and political idealism.

Mr 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."

Lord Healey, who served as Foot's deputy from 1980-83, said he was "very, very sorry to hear of his death".

Lord Healey said: "I was a great admirer of Michael's. He was a brilliant speaker.

"Although we disagreed very much over policy, I was very glad to serve under him as deputy leader.

"I don't think he should be remembered only for the 1983 election defeat, because he made a tremendous contribution to the Labour Party when its future was on a knife edge."

Labour former deputy prime minister John Prescott said in a message via Twitter: "So sad to hear about Michael Foot.

"A great man has died. He was the heart of our movement."