Michael Foot 1913 - 2010

Michael Foot, in full flow, speaking in defence of the Daily Mirror, which had criticised the conduct of the war by the Churchill Government.

Jack Straw has just announced the death of one of the great figures of the Labour movement to the House of Commons.

Founder of CND, leader of the Labour Party in the dark days of the 1980s, Foot was also an outstanding journalist who edited the Evening Standard and the Tribune twice.As a writer, and as an orator, few could match him

He was one of the towering political figures of 20th century British politics but he was much diminished by having to lead Labour during one of the most tumultuous periods in the party's history.

Being a journalist didn't defend him from the ravages of a nasty right wing press, and particularly the myth that he wore a donkey jacket to the memorial service at the Cenotaph.

Jill Craigie, his wife, was very upset by the accusation. It was a perfectly good jacket but Foot had the ability to look dishevelled in anything.