Former chancellor Denis Healey has died at the age of 98, his family has announced. Lord Healey was Labour's 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. The former defence secretary also came close to winning the Labour leadership in 1980, finishing just 10 votes behind winner Michael Foot. BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Lord Healey's death marked the end of an era in Labour's history. 'Labour giant' 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." A defining moment in his career was when, as chancellor, he applied for an emergency loan from the the International Monetary Fund in an effort to save the pound from collapse. A graduate of Oxford university, he had also served in the Army, joining operations in North Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War Two. His wife, Edna, died in 2010. Current Chancellor George Osborne tweeted: "Sad to hear that Denis Healey has died at 98. A giant of the Labour movement + Chancellor in the most difficult circumstances Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Very sorry to hear that Denis Healey has died. He was, undoubtedly, a giant of the post war Labour movement. Condolences to his family."
And Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We've lost a huge figure of post-war politics. A hero in World War Two as Beach Master at Anzio and a brave politician, Denis Healey told his party hard truths about Britain having to live within her means."
Famous for his bushy eyebrows !
And Prime Minister David Cameron said: "We've lost a huge figure of post-war politics. A hero in World War Two as Beach Master at Anzio and a brave politician, Denis Healey told his party hard truths about Britain having to live within her means."Fam
I remember him having to go cap in hand to the IMF for a bale-out because labour govt had spent up.
Labour spending more than comes in ... it never changes
I remember him having to go cap in hand to the IMF for a bale-out because labour govt had spent up.Labour spending more than comes in ... it never changes